Greater Manchester Grammar and Private - Year 7 entry 2023

Does anyone have experience with late entrance assessments for grammar schools in Trafford (Manchester)? My son is y7 now

Our DD is happy if she goes to the local state school. I think lockdown learning has affected lots of kids and maybe that's why parents are looking for smaller classes?
I hope DD gets into the school, it will suit her really well :)

Covid made a lot of people evaluate the state v paid for provision. Lot more DC now need more support than ever before too. That sends some private as they need smaller quieter classes for their child and to avoid those who may disrupt - that the state sector has to manage.
Sad but true.
The horror stories about state high schools are massively exaggerated tho

I think it's a combination of reasons. State school funding slashed for years. A lot of parents wanting smaller classes & less disruption and will pay through the nose for it if they can. Better sports facilities too etc
Academically a lot of decent state schools Inc ours do just as well. But the high % of SEN kids and then disinterested ones worries many.

Hiya @deeprealisation I didn't realise application numbers had risen so much post covid. I was v surprised there were up to 600 students on assessment day. Good to know that everyone who had an interview got an offer, gives me hope!

Application numbers have risen post covid but that said, everyone we knew who applied for privates got a space. All who had sgs interviews got offers.

Ooh I'll prepare some, thanks @longshot My youngest DD applied for the Junior school this academic year for Y4 entry. We went and had a meeting with the Head. I think he was a bit surprised when she pulled out a list of questions she wanted to ask him 😂Might have to ask her for ideas 😉

I can’t remember exactly but don’t think they asked us anything really. It’s definitely about the child. They did ask us for our questions so take a few of those in!

Hi @longshot thanks so much for your response, it's super helpful :)

Oh, it doesn't sound too scary at all! It does sound v short. Do they ask the parents anything, or will we just be there to put DD at ease?

We've only applied for SGS as she didn't like anywhere else (though do have the local comp. as back-up which she likes too). I've heard Cheadle is good though :)

@MushPeas congratulations! Is that for SGS the interview?

Ours lasted about 20 mins but they just asked about hobbies, how DD found the exam, what she thought of her primary school and what she would change about it. What she liked about SGS and about her favourite subjects.

The SGS interview was short and relatively boring tbh! Not sure if you’ve done cheadle too? That was much more in depth.

Woop she has an interview @ThirstyMeeples :D It's only 10 minutes long! Can you remember what they asked you at the interview last year?
I'm assuming it's questions such as why do you want to go to this school, what hobbies do you have, that type of thing? x

Glad it went well. Let us know how she gets on x

Thanks for all your help @ThirstyMeeples, she said the assessment day went ok on Wednesday, now just checking my inbox all the time to see if she gets an interview 🙏

I'll reach out to a few tutors and see if they can squeeze us in over the Christmas break. Thank you @ThirstyMeeples :)

What about getting her a tutor even for a couple of sessions? It might increase her confidence and they are very experienced with exam techniques.
Remember lots and lots of kids of this age struggle with exams and working under pressure so she won't be at all on her own with that.

Hi @ThirstyMeeples thanks so much for replying :)

She has tried a few practice papers (English comp and VR) and scores about 65%-75%, which is lower than when we're just sitting at home working through the practice questions individually. She panics and doesn't read things properly, so makes mistakes. Will work on this over the next few weeks.

Thanks for the good luck! Will be positive and start to think about what might happen in the interview. More research to do ;-)

Hope your DS is enjoying their school :)

Hiya, I can't remember how we found out about the number of applications. I think other parents on the day seemed to know and I know one of the teachers who mentioned it.
If she's bright, I'm sure she'll be fine. Has she done practice papers? I think just doing some under exam conditions would be good practice.
I think lots, if not all, of the children get an interview. Unless they've done terribly in the exam.
I also stressed about it last year but he was fine as were all the other kids we know who took it.
Good luck!

Hi @snowtrees @ThirstyMeeples @SalvePuella @longshot I hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread from earlier in the year :)

My eldest DD is taking the entrance exam for Stockport Grammar in Jan 2024 and I'd love to hear from other people of their children's experiences.

In this thread you mentioned high number of applicants last year, but not sure how you found that out? I can't find anything online!

Also, do you know if all children are invited to an interview?

She is an intelligent child, but struggles in exam situations so we're not sure if she's going to pass. But we know she'd do really well at interview!

Thank you in advance, from a v stressed mum ;-)

Well done all.. hoping others I know got the same!

Yes DS has a place! So relieved and can't wait to tell him after school today. Congratulations to everyone x

Congratulations @SalvePuella for your DS!