11 Plus tutors in Manchester: Trafford grammars, test format and how to prepare (2026)

Greater Manchester's grammar school system is among the most competitive in England — centred on the Trafford grammar school consortium, the 11 Plus in this area is deeply familiar to families across the region. Demand for specialist preparation tutors who know the Trafford GL Assessment format is intense, and many families begin tutoring two or more years before the test.

Which grammar schools are in the Manchester area?

• Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (AGSB) — one of England's most oversubscribed state grammars
• Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGSG) — equally competitive, consistently outstanding results
• Sale Grammar School — co-educational, high demand from Sale, Timperley and Wythenshawe areas
• Stretford Grammar School — co-educational, strong academic record
• Loreto Grammar School (Altrincham) — Catholic selective school with separate admissions criteria

All five schools are in the London Borough of Trafford and use GL Assessment for the 11 Plus. Competition is intense — in peak years, more than 2,000 children compete for around 150 places at each school.

What does the Trafford 11 Plus involve?

• GL Assessment format. The Trafford consortium uses GL Assessment — covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths and English. Not all components are equally weighted at all schools; check with the individual school.
• Verbal Reasoning. Word relationships, analogies, letter sequences, coded sequences. Not taught in primary schools — requires specific practice.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning. Pattern completion, matrices, spatial reasoning. Also not in the primary curriculum — children unfamiliar with the format need preparation time.
• Maths. Beyond the Year 6 primary curriculum. Problem-solving, multi-step questions and speed under pressure.
• English. Comprehension and grammar at an extended level.

When should preparation start?

For the most competitive Trafford grammars — AGSB and AGSG — most families begin focused preparation in Year 4 (age 8–9). Year 5 is the more common starting point for all five schools. Starting in Year 6 is possible but puts significant pressure on a child in the same year as primary school work and SATs.

How much does an 11 Plus tutor in Manchester cost?

• Trafford 11 Plus tutors: £30–£55 per hour
• Specialist tutors with Trafford grammar track record: £40–£65 per hour
• Online 11 Plus tutors (Manchester-based): £28–£50 per hour

Find an 11 Plus tutor in Manchester

• 11 Plus tutors in Manchester
• 11 Plus tutors in Altrincham
• 11 Plus tutors in Sale
• Maths tutors in Manchester
• English tutors in Manchester

Or browse all tutors in Manchester.

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See Also

• Find a 11 Plus tutor in Manchester
• Best 11 Plus tutors in the UK — full guide