Manchester Grammar School: 11+ Admissions, Entrance Exam
The Manchester Grammar School (MGS) is an independent boys’ school in Manchester, offering education from the Junior School through to Sixth Form. Founded in 1515, it is known for its academic focus, broad curriculum and extracurricular opportunities. For families considering Year 7 entry, understanding the admissions process, entrance examination and available financial support is an important first step.
In this guide, you’ll learn how the Manchester Grammar School 11+ admissions process works, what to expect from the entrance assessments, how to prepare and where to find official information about fees and bursaries. Admissions arrangements and dates can change each year, so always check the school’s official website before applying.
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Manchester Grammar School: 11+ Admissions, Entrance Exam & Fees
What Is Manchester Grammar School?
The Manchester Grammar School, commonly known as MGS, is an independent day school for boys in Manchester. Founded in 1515, the school educates pupils from the Junior School through to Sixth Form and welcomes applications from families across the North West.
MGS combines academic education with a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, including sport, music, science and other activities. Its admissions process aims to assess pupils’ potential through both written examinations and practical learning activities.
The school is located on Old Hall Lane, Manchester, M13 0XT.
For official information about the school’s history, curriculum and admissions, visit The Manchester Grammar School website.
Manchester Grammar School 11+ Admissions
The main entry point into the Senior School is Year 7, when pupils typically join at age 11. Unlike many state grammar schools, MGS is an independent school, so families apply directly to the school rather than through the local authority’s standard secondary school application process.
For Year 7 entry, the admissions process includes two key stages:
- Assessment Day: Pupils take part in taught lessons, group activities and a creative writing task.
- Entrance Examination Day: Candidates sit two English papers and two Arithmetic papers.
The school considers performance across its admissions process, rather than relying solely on one written test. It may also request a reference from the candidate’s current school.
For the latest application instructions, visit the school’s official Year 7 entry page.
Manchester Grammar School Admissions Dates for 2027 Entry
For families applying for September 2027 entry, the published timetable includes the following dates. These details should be checked against the school’s official admissions information before making arrangements.
| Admissions stage | Date for 2027 entry |
|---|---|
| Assessment Days began | Monday 21 September 2026 |
| Application deadline | Wednesday 18 November 2026 |
| Entrance Examination Day | Wednesday 13 January 2027 |
| Results published | Friday 5 February 2027 |
| Offer acceptance deadline | Wednesday 3 March 2027 |
The Assessment Day and written entrance examination are separate events. If your child is applying for Year 7, check the school’s instructions carefully to understand the arrangements for both stages.
How to Apply to Manchester Grammar School
Families interested in MGS should begin by reviewing the official admissions information and understanding the requirements for their child’s intended year of entry.
A typical application process involves:
- Research the school: Review the curriculum, admissions process, fees and available financial support.
- Attend an open event: Use an open morning or school tour to learn more about the environment and opportunities available.
- Register an application: Complete the school’s application process before the relevant deadline.
- Attend the assessments: Follow the school’s instructions for the Assessment Day and entrance examination.
- Review the outcome: Check the results and respond to any offer within the specified timeframe.
For the latest forms, deadlines and instructions, use the school’s official admissions website.
What Is the Manchester Grammar School 11+ Entrance Exam Like?
The MGS Year 7 admissions process includes written English and Arithmetic examinations alongside an Assessment Day. Preparing for these different elements can help children approach the process with greater confidence.
English Papers
Candidates sit two English papers on Entrance Examination Day. Preparation should focus on the English skills relevant to the school’s published practice materials and examination format.
Useful areas to revise include:
- Reading comprehension and understanding written passages.
- Vocabulary, including word meanings and relationships between words.
- Grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Answering questions accurately and explaining ideas clearly.
- Managing time during written assessments.
The precise content and format should be checked against the school’s official past papers and admissions guidance.
For additional preparation, explore our 11+ English revision guide, 11+ English grammar guide and 11+ English past papers.
Arithmetic Papers
Candidates also sit two Arithmetic papers. Children should develop confidence in calculations and practise applying mathematical knowledge accurately under timed conditions.
Useful revision areas include:
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
- Fractions, decimals and percentages.
- Place value and number operations.
- Mental arithmetic and calculation strategies.
- Identifying errors and checking answers.
Use the school’s official practice materials to understand the expected level and question style. Avoid assuming that every topic or format used by another 11+ exam provider will appear in the MGS examination.
Explore our 11+ maths preparation resources for further support.
The Assessment Day
The Assessment Day is an important part of MGS admissions. According to the school’s published information, candidates take part in a Maths lesson, a topic-based lesson, group activities and a piece of creative writing.
The school explains that pupils are taught unfamiliar material during the day. This means there is no specific content to memorise in advance for the taught lessons themselves.
Parents can help by encouraging their child to:
- Listen carefully to instructions.
- Ask questions when they do not understand something.
- Participate positively in group activities.
- Approach unfamiliar tasks with curiosity.
- Communicate ideas clearly and confidently.
Creative writing is included in the Assessment Day, so regular writing practice may be useful. However, the school emphasises that the taught content is unfamiliar and that the day is designed to assess pupils’ potential, rather than simply reward prior preparation.
For guidance on writing practice, see our 11+ creative writing topics and 11+ creative writing techniques.
Manchester Grammar School Past Papers
Past papers can help children understand the style and difficulty of questions used in the MGS entrance examination. They also provide an opportunity to practise working under pressure and identify areas that need further revision.
The school publishes Year 7 entrance examination past papers through its official website. It notes that these papers are designed to be challenging and intended for personal preparation by MGS candidates.
Where to Find Official MGS Past Papers
Start with the school’s official Year 7 admissions page, where you can find information about the entrance examination and links to available practice papers.
When using past papers, encourage your child to:
- Complete the paper under suitable conditions.
- Check their answers where an answer scheme is available.
- Identify recurring mistakes.
- Revise the topics they found difficult.
- Attempt further questions to check whether their understanding has improved.
The school has indicated that a score of 50% or above on its past papers can be a useful sign that a candidate is progressing towards the required standard. However, this is guidance rather than a guaranteed admission threshold. A practice score cannot guarantee an offer because admissions decisions consider the school’s wider assessment criteria.
The school also explains that it does not publish English comprehension answers in the same way as straightforward objective questions, because written responses are assessed individually.
How to Prepare Using Past Papers
Avoid relying exclusively on repeated attempts at the same paper. Children also need to develop the underlying English and maths skills required to answer unfamiliar questions.
A balanced approach includes:
- Regular comprehension and vocabulary practice.
- Targeted grammar and punctuation revision.
- Consistent arithmetic practice.
- Reviewing mistakes and learning from them.
- Gradually introducing timed practice.
- Practising creative writing before the Assessment Day.
For additional resources, visit our 11+ practice questions page.
Manchester Grammar School Fees
Manchester Grammar School is an independent school, so tuition fees apply. Families should consider the cost of attendance alongside any available financial support when deciding whether to apply.
For the 2026/27 academic year, published school fee information lists the following Senior School tuition fees:
| Fee information | 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Annual tuition fee | £19,809 |
| Termly tuition fee | £6,603 |
| Number of terms per academic year | 3 |
These figures include VAT as reported in the published fee information. Fees may change for subsequent academic years, and additional costs may apply for certain activities, trips or other items.
Before applying, confirm the latest charges directly with MGS using its official website.
Manchester Grammar School Bursaries and Financial Support
MGS offers financial support through its bursary fund. This can help eligible families access the school where fees would otherwise be difficult to afford.
The school describes its approach to admissions as aiming to be needs-blind, with the intention of allowing pupils from different financial backgrounds to be considered on their potential.
Families interested in financial assistance should:
- Review the school’s current bursary policy.
- Check the eligibility and financial assessment requirements.
- Confirm the deadline for bursary applications.
- Contact the admissions team if any requirements are unclear.
Bursary awards depend on the school’s criteria and individual circumstances, so families should not assume that financial support will automatically be available.
For the most accurate information, consult MGS directly through its official website.
Is Manchester Grammar School Right for Your Child?
Choosing a school involves more than comparing entrance exam results. Parents should consider whether the school’s academic environment, teaching approach and wider opportunities suit their child’s needs and interests.
When researching MGS, consider the following factors.
Academic Environment
Think about how your child responds to academic challenge, independent learning and unfamiliar problems. MGS’s admissions process includes both formal examinations and taught activities designed to assess potential.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Explore the school’s activities in areas such as sport, music, science and other interests. These opportunities can contribute to a child’s wider school experience.
Travel and Daily Routine
Consider how your child would travel to school and how the journey would fit into their daily routine. MGS attracts pupils from across the North West, so travel arrangements can vary considerably between families.
Fees and Financial Support
Review tuition fees, additional costs and bursary options before applying. Make sure you understand the financial commitment over the full school year.
Your Child’s Wellbeing
Entrance exam preparation can be demanding. A manageable revision routine, regular breaks and encouragement can help children approach the process without unnecessary pressure.
Attending an open event can also help families decide whether the school feels like a good fit.
How to Prepare for Manchester Grammar School 11+ Entry
A structured preparation plan can help children build the skills needed for the written examinations while maintaining confidence.
1. Start with the Official Exam Materials
Use MGS’s own practice papers and admissions information as the main reference point. This helps ensure preparation is relevant to the school’s examination rather than another provider’s test.
2. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
Use an initial practice paper to understand which areas your child finds easy and which need more attention. Record recurring mistakes so that revision has a clear purpose.
3. Practise English and Arithmetic Regularly
Build a routine that covers both examination subjects. Short, consistent sessions can be more manageable than infrequent, lengthy revision periods.
4. Review Every Mistake
Ask your child to explain how they reached an answer and why it was incorrect. This helps them understand the underlying concept and apply it to new questions.
5. Practise Writing
Although the school’s Assessment Day includes an unfamiliar taught programme, creative writing practice can help children become more comfortable expressing ideas clearly.
Encourage your child to plan stories, develop descriptions and check spelling, punctuation and grammar.
6. Introduce Timed Practice Gradually
Once your child understands the question types, introduce timed exercises to develop pacing and accuracy. Use the school’s materials to guide the practice format.
7. Keep Preparation Balanced
Make sure your child has time for rest, hobbies and normal schoolwork. A calm, consistent routine is preferable to last-minute cramming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manchester Grammar School a state grammar school?
No. The Manchester Grammar School is an independent boys’ school. Families apply directly to the school, and tuition fees apply, although bursary support may be available to eligible families.
What age do boys join Manchester Grammar School?
The main Senior School entry point is Year 7, typically at age 11. The school also offers entry at other ages, subject to its admissions arrangements.
What subjects are tested in the MGS 11+ entrance examination?
The written Entrance Examination Day includes two English papers and two Arithmetic papers. The separate Assessment Day includes taught lessons, group activities and a creative writing task.
Does Manchester Grammar School publish past papers?
Yes. MGS publishes Year 7 entrance examination past papers through its official website. The school states that the papers are intended for personal preparation by MGS candidates and are protected by copyright.
What score should my child aim for in MGS past papers?
The school has indicated that scoring 50% or above can be a useful guide that a candidate is progressing towards the required standard. This is not a guaranteed pass mark or admission threshold, and practice scores cannot guarantee an offer.
How much are Manchester Grammar School fees?
For 2026/27, published information lists Senior School tuition fees of £19,809 per year, including VAT, or £6,603 per term. Always confirm the latest fees directly with the school.
Does Manchester Grammar School offer bursaries?
Yes. MGS offers bursary support for eligible families. Check the school’s current financial assistance policy for eligibility, application requirements and deadlines.
Can children prepare for the Assessment Day?
The school explains that the taught lessons cover unfamiliar material, so there is no specific content to prepare in advance for those lessons. Children can still benefit from developing general confidence, communication skills and familiarity with creative writing.
Find Out More About Manchester Grammar School
The Manchester Grammar School offers a distinctive admissions process that combines written English and Arithmetic examinations with an Assessment Day. Families considering Year 7 entry should review the school’s official admissions information, understand the fees and financial support available, and use the published practice materials to guide preparation.
For further 11+ support, explore our 11+ English revision guide, 11+ English past papers and 11+ practice questions.
Help your child prepare with Think Academy.
Our online lessons combine live teaching, interactive activities and personalised feedback to help children strengthen their English and maths skills.
