Senior School Admissions

Application Forms

An application form will be sent to you with our prospectus pack. To request a prospectus pack, please complete the online Request a Prospectus form, or telephone 0161 456 9000 for more information.

The completed application form, accompanied by a cheque for £35 made payable to Stockport Grammar School, should be returned as soon as possible and no later than 10th January 2011 to the Headmaster’s Secretary, Mrs Judy Baker.
A booklet with full details of the examination syllabus and specimen questions is sent to parents on receipt of an application form.

Entrance Examination

Children who apply to join Stockport Grammar School in the First Form of the Senior School at age 11 take the formal Entrance Examination. This is held at the School, usually in January. The candidates spend the whole day at the School and lunch is provided for them free of charge. Each applicant takes four papers – three before lunch and one in the afternoon.

These papers are:

• English Comprehension
• English Essay
• Mathematics
• Verbal Reasoning

A few days before the Entrance Examination, you will receive a card with your child’s examination number, details of car parking and items needed for the Examination. We recommend comfortable casual clothes, not school uniform.

Examination Syllabus

English Comprehension

Candidates are required to respond to a number of questions on a short reading passage. The passage is taken from a fiction or non-fiction text deemed to be of a standard appropriate for able Key Stage 2 pupils. The questions require the candidates to demonstrate an understanding of content and specific aspects of vocabulary, and to display an ability to infer details. Candidates have 35 minutes to complete the paper.

English Essay

Candidates are given a choice of three essay titles; they have 40 minutes to write a response to ONE of the titles. The subject of the essays will be related to the topic of the Comprehension passage, which may therefore act as a stimulus. Candidates are required to write with originality and ambition, demonstrating a good level of accuracy and an ability to structure the essay in paragraphs.

Mathematics

Aim of the examination

The aim of the mathematics examination is to test present knowledge and potential for future mathematical development.

Syllabus

The syllabus for the mathematics entrance examination is that of National Curriculum Mathematics Key Stage 2 (which can be viewed at www.nc.uk.net). No knowledge beyond this is assumed.

Metric units will be used with their standard abbreviations:

• length (mm, cm, m, km)
• area (cm², m², etc)
• volume (m³, etc)
• capacity (cm³, ml, l)
• mass (mg, g, tonne)
• currency (£, pence)

Any use of imperial or foreign units will be fully explained.

Format of the examination

The examination lasts one hour. All questions are to be attempted, in any order. Space is given on the paper for working and answers. Credit is given for correct working even if the final answer is missing or wrong.

The first page of the examination tests arithmetic only. The examination continues with other parts of the syllabus. Later questions require the candidate to understand and think beyond their normal mathematical experience, (but without any knowledge beyond Key Stage 2 Mathematics).

Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning test lasts 50 minutes. Candidates are asked to attempt questions of general knowledge and information.

Interview

The final stage of the entrance procedure takes the form of two informal interviews: one for parents with either the Headmaster, Director of Studies or Head of Lower School; and one for the child, who meets and talks to a member of the teaching staff.

Those invited for interview will normally be notified by post within two weeks of the date of the Examination. Parents or Guardians will have the opportunity of meeting Mr A H Chicken (Headmaster), Miss V Barrett (Deputy Head), Mr R W Wallington (Head of Lower School), Ms H Lawson (Head of First Year) or Mr D W Howson (Senior Tutor) at the time of their child’s interview.

Primary school head teachers are asked to submit confidential reports on all applicants. However, a child's chances are not damaged if a report is not provided.

Examination Results

On 28th February the School will write to the parents of all applicants who have taken the Entrance Examination. The letter will say whether:

• The applicant has been offered a fee paying place
• The applicant has been offered a place with financial assistance
• The applicant has been placed on a reserve list from which further offers may be made
• A place has not been offered

Reply Dates

• Replies for bursary offers to be received by noon on 7th March 2011
• Replies for fee paying offers to be received by noon on 9th March 2011

Parents are given the opportunity to visit the School again after places have been offered.

Late Entry

Year 7

Late entry at Year 7 requires an assessment in English and Mathematics. If the Entrance Examination has not taken place for the following year’s intake, s/he would sit this in full. References would also be sought from your child’s current school.

Years 8, 9 and 10

Late entry at Years 8, 9 and 10 requires an assessment in English and Mathematics, and a reference would also be sought from your child’s current school.

The outcome of assessments will normally be notified within 48 hours.

Year 11

We do not normally admit children to Year 11.

More Information

Please do not hesitate to contact the Headmaster or his Secretary, Mrs Judy Baker, telephone number 0161 419 2404, if you would like any further information.

Open Events

Because your child's future is so important we want to help you with your choice as much as possible. Our Open Events in the Autumn Term are designed to show important aspects of school life and you are invited to attend one of these before the Entrance Examination in January.

Open Events for entry in September 2011:

• Thursday 14th October, 7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.
• Saturday 20th November, 9.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.

Regular school day visits are also available. To book a tour, please contact Vivienne Arrowsmith, External Relations Administrator, on 0161 419 2408.

Stockport Grammar School is a member of the Greater Manchester Consortium of Schools and as such follows the agreed consortium timetable for 11+ applicants.