Stockport Grammar School
Stockport Grammar School, dating back to 1487, stands as a beacon of academic excellence and holistic education in Stockport, Manchester. As an independent co-educational school catering to students aged 3 to 18, the school is committed to fostering a vibrant learning environment. Stockport Grammar School emphasises both academic achievement and the development of well-rounded individuals. The school boasts modern facilities, a wide array of extracurricular activities including sports, arts, and clubs, and a supportive community that values character, integrity, and a love for learning. Guided by a strong ethos, Stockport Grammar School seeks to inspire and empower students to thrive academically, creatively, and socially.
Entrance Exam Overview:
Papers: Applicants undergo a three-paper examination, testing their proficiency in English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning.
English:
Comprehension: Answer 40 multiple-choice questions assessing understanding, inferences, word definitions, grammatical functions, and character portrayal within an unseen passage (30 minutes).
Creative Writing: Choose between two tasks, involving either writing a description or a story inspired by an image or crafting a story or description based on a provided opening line (30 minutes).
Mathematics:
Duration: 60 minutes.
Exam covers the national curriculum mathematics key stage two syllabus, utilizing metric units with standard abbreviations.
Questions encompass various topics, and candidates are encouraged to attempt all questions in any order. Credit is given for correct working, even if the final answer is incorrect.
Verbal Reasoning:
Duration: 30 minutes (scaled down from the 60-minute sample papers).
Candidates tackle general knowledge and information-based questions to assess their verbal reasoning skills.
Note: The school emphasises that no knowledge beyond the key stage two mathematics curriculum is assumed. All instructions and units of measurement are clearly explained, ensuring a fair testing environment.
Don’t be tempted to complete a large amount of tests in preparation. This is not a good way to prepare and it is likely to make little or no difference to your child’s results.
Focus on bringing up your child’s academic standard in order to successfully gain a place. This way when your child does gain entry, they will continue to thrive when they start.
Reading a variety of good quality classic books will help improve your child’s vocabulary and reading skills.
Familiarise yourself with the format of the exam. Know the types of questions, the time constraints, and any specific instructions.
Get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. Your physical well-being can have a positive impact on your cognitive abilities and concentration.
Practice under exam conditions. This includes timing yourself, avoiding distractions, and creating an environment similar to the actual exam setting.