Parents preparing children for Trafford's grammar school entrance tests face the biggest changes to the admissions process in years after the Trafford Grammar School Consortium announced it is replacing current test provider GL Assessment with Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE).
The move will bring in a new style of entrance exam based on the Key Stage 2 English and maths curriculum, replacing the current verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and mathematical reasoning tests.
The changes will also see the entrance exam moved from September of Year 6 to the summer term of Year 5 from 2029 admissions onwards, meaning children will sit the test several months earlier than they do now.
The Trafford Grammar School Consortium comprises Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar School, Stretford Grammar School and Urmston Grammar School, with pupils only needing to sit one entrance test to apply to any of the five schools.
What does it mean for local families?
For many Trafford parents, the biggest change is that the traditional reasoning-based test will disappear.
Instead of assessing verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and mathematical reasoning, the new exam will be based on the Key Stage 2 English and maths curriculum up to the end of Year 5.
The consortium says the move is designed to make the assessment more closely aligned with what children are already learning in school and to reduce reliance on intensive private tutoring.
Another major change comes a year later: from pupils applying for Year 7 in September 2029, the entrance exam will move from September of Year 6 to the latter part of the summer term of Year 5.
That means children will sit the test several months earlier than they do currently.
Which children are affected?
The changes will be introduced in stages:
- Entry in 2027 (test sat September 2026): No change. The provider remains GL Assessment.
- Entry in 2028 (test sat September 2027): FSCE takes over and introduces the new curriculum-based test.
- Entry in 2029 and beyond: The new curriculum-based test remains in place and is moved to the summer term of Year 5.
One test for five grammar schools
The Trafford Grammar School Consortium operates a shared admissions process, meaning children only need to sit one entrance exam if they wish to apply to any of the five member schools.
The consortium does not include Loreto Grammar School or Saint Ambrose College, which continue to run their own separate entrance tests.
Why the change?
The consortium appointed FSCE following a procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023.
FSCE, a not-for-profit organisation and subsidiary of Reading School, currently provides selective admissions tests for 12 grammar schools and grammar school consortia across England, with more than 8,000 pupils sitting its assessments each year.
The organisation says its tests are designed to identify academic potential while reducing the advantage gained through extensive coaching, instead focusing on knowledge and skills developed through the primary school curriculum.
FSCE also produces specialist versions of its papers, including Braille, large-print and modified formats, to support pupils requiring reasonable adjustments.
A spokesperson for FSCE said: "We are delighted to be working with the Trafford Grammar Schools, who share our vision for fairer selective admissions. At the heart of our approach is a commitment to ensuring that assessments identify true potential, not just prior advantage.
"Through research and data-led test design, we aim to dissuade intensive test preparation and encourage natural curiosity and critical thinking. We focus on creating accessible and inclusive tests that maintain the highest standards of rigorous selective assessment and demystifying admissions processes through cohesive partnerships with schools, children and their families.
"Working in unison with all schools in the Trafford Consortium, we look forward to developing robust, fair and innovative assessments, to build on the success of the Horizons outreach work and to continue widening participation so that every child has an equal opportunity to demonstrate their ability.”
