Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is a leading selective grammar school for girls located in Trafford. Established in 1910, it delivers an exceptional education to over 1,350 pupils aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Regarded as one of the best grammar schools in the UK, AGGS is famous for its history of impressive academic results. The school currently holds an Ofsted Rating of "Outstanding."

Named the Northwest State Secondary School of the Decade, AGGS fosters exceptional academic and creative growth. Students actively publish in The Green Light magazine and tackle real-world architecture challenges during the STEM Club’s HS2 Engineering Day. These unique initiatives empower girls to excel beyond the standard curriculum.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Academy (Grammar)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1350+
• AGGS GCSE Results (2025): 86% achieved Grade 9-7
• AGGS A-Level Results (2025): 85% achieved A*-B

​

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 174
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: 334 marks (approx)
  

Preparing for the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls open day requires forward planning. I have compiled the official Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11 plus exam dates, including the specific 11+ Exam date, to guide your family through the admissions process. These 11 plus exam dates are arranged chronologically to help you prepare for the Trafford 11 plus exam date 2026 cycle.

​​The AGGS admissions cycle is rigorous and transparent. As one of the leading grammar schools in Trafford, the school operates a distinct 11 plus exam process ensuring fair selection.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Parents must understand how to register for 11+ exam entry by completing the school’s online application form.
• This form registers your daughter specifically for the 11+ Exam and is available on the school website.
• As stated in the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy, strict deadlines apply for this submission.
• Separately, you must complete the Common Application Form (CAF) via your home Local Authority.
• Residents should apply through the Trafford Local Authority website by 31 October 2025.
• Ensure 11 plus exam registration details match your CAF application to avoid administrative errors.

​The Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Catchment Area is a designated geographic zone critical for admissions priority. As stated in the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy, the priority area covers an 8-mile radius. This distance is calculated from the main school entrance on Cavendish Road, Bowdon, WA14 2NL.

The school measures distance in a direct "as the crow flies" line using property coordinates. To qualify for the AGGS Catchment Area, your child must permanently reside here by the application deadline.

Key Catchment Facts:

• Zone Definition: A strict 8-mile radius from the school site.
• Measurement: Straight-line distance via the Local Authority’s computerised system.
• Impact: Residents within this School catchment area receive priority over out-of-area applicants in the 11 plus test allocation.

Unlike some schools, there is no specific list of postcodes; the 11+ exam catchment is determined solely by this radial distance.

​According to the National School Census, obtaining a place at AGGS involves navigating intense competition. For the recorded period of 2022–2024, data consistently shows two applicants competing for every available seat. This high demand underscores why targeted preparation for the eleven plus exam is mandatory for success.

Source: National School Census.

As outlined in the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy, the school remains heavily oversubscribed. The 50% oversubscription rate in 2025 highlights the necessity of a proactive approach.

​

How hard is it to get into Altrincham Grammar School for Girls?

Parents frequently ask me, "Is Altrincham Grammar School for Girls hard to get into?" given the strict academic standards. Based on my experience, while the competition is fierce, success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

Read the next section to understand the 11+ Exam Format and secure your daughter’s place.

As stated in the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy, the entrance assessment for September 2026 entry consists of two papers taken in a single sitting. The AGGS entrance exam is administered by the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium to ensure a fair selection process.

The Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus Test is designed to assess a candidate's potential rather than just prior learning. The school utilises GL Assessment papers, which are standard across the consortium.

Entrance Examination Details

While there is no separate creative writing paper like in some 11+ English exams, the Verbal Reasoning sections are comprehensive. Parents should note that GL Assessment 11+ papers are strictly timed and require audio instructions to be followed precisely.

​
​Parent’s Top 2 Queries

Does the exam include English? 

No, the exam tests Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Mathematics, but strong vocabulary is essential for Verbal Reasoning.

How are scores calculated? 

Scores from both papers are age-standardised and combined to produce a final aggregate score for ranking.

What exam board does AGGS follow? 

GL Assessment (Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium).

How long is the 11+ Exam for AGGS? 

Both Paper One and Paper Two are approx 1 hour long.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

Students must mark their answers on a separate Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet using an HB pencil. It is vital that any erasures are completely clean, as stray marks can cause the machine to misread the intended answer.

​To be eligible for a place at AGGS, applicants must achieve a minimum qualifying score in the entrance examination. Historically, the required standardised score is set at 334 to qualify for allocation.

Selection Details

The scores are age-standardised to ensure valid comparisons. Simply meeting these GL assessment pass marks does not guarantee entry due to high demand. Ample practice ensures students achieve 11 plus exam results well above this mandatory threshold.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is the gold standard for all-girls education in Trafford. However, the competition is extremely high with far more applicants than places.

Most students will need a strong backup plan. I always advise parents to shortlist three Grammar schools and two Private schools.

This diverse portfolio ensures your daughter accesses an elite education. It also mitigates the risk of relying on a single exam day performance.

​

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting AGGS often look at the wider Trafford Consortium and top Manchester independent schools. Here is how the leading alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to AGGS

• Sale Grammar School: This school belongs to the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium. Your daughter can qualify for both Sale and AGGS by sitting one common entrance exam.
• Loreto Grammar School: This is an exceptional choice for Catholic families. It offers a supportive, single-sex environment with consistently high academic achievements.
• Withington Girls' School: As a top-ranking independent school, Withington rivals AGGS for academic rigour. Their entrance process focuses heavily on raw potential and critical thinking skills.
• Manchester High School for Girls: MHSG offers a balanced education with excellent pastoral care. It is a prestigious alternative for parents seeking a holistic approach alongside high grades.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls sits within the Trafford Consortium. The school uses GL Assessment as the exam board for its entrance test. The examination consists of two papers covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Mathematics.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of 11+ maths topics for the GL Assessment board shows a strong focus on core numerical skills. Number operations and Geometry typically account for a significant portion of the marks.

To help your daughter prepare, we recommend using our comprehensive GL Assessment practice papers. These resources mirror the format and difficulty of the actual test.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Altrincham Grammar School for Girls?

We recommend the 11+ Maths GL Practice Papers Bundle for Altrincham Grammar School for Girls. This pack includes over 1600 GL-style MCQs with detailed step-wise solutions.

​

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 plus verbal reasoning papers for GL Assessment shows that Codes, Word Meanings, and Making Words are critical areas. These topics require a strong vocabulary and logical deduction skills.

Elevate your child's score with our 11+ practice papers for Verbal Reasoning. This pack covers all known GL question types to ensure full exam readiness.

​

​

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

For the non verbal reasoning 11 plus section, our analysis shows that Matrices and Odd One Out are dominant topics. Spatial Reasoning, specifically 2D views of 3D shapes, also carries significant weight.

Parents can download our GL Assessment papers for NVR to practice specific spatial patterns. These 11 plus papers include detailed explanations for every shape puzzle.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is incredibly competitive, making focused preparation vital for success. Sitting an Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11 plus mock exam helps students master the specific GL Assessment format. These 11 plus mock tests are crucial for identifying weak areas and building essential speed.

Since AGGS uses GL Assessment, we recommend the following resources to mirror the test:

Parents can evaluate current levels using our free 11 plus mock test online. Booking an 11 plus mock test Trafford ensures your daughter handles the pressure of this selective school.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Monday 1^st September 2025 to Friday 24^th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3^rd November 2025 to Friday 19^th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 5^th January 2026 to Friday 13^th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23^rd February 2026 to Friday 27^th March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 13^th April 2026 to Friday 22^nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1^st June 2026 to Friday 17^th July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Official Website.

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for Altrincham Grammar School for Girls.

• GL Assessment Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Page
• Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet Ofsted Report
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page
• Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data