Entrance Exam Date: Wednesday 11th February 2009

Entry to the School is by competitive examination held each year in February for entry into Year 7 the following September. Candidates are tested in English, Mathematics and Reasoning and sample papers are available on request.

On Entrance Examination day testing takes place between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm. During this time, in addition to their tests, the boys and girls are given a tour of the School, a hearty lunch and the chance to visit some departments. We believe children will show us best what they are capable of if we can put them at their ease.

The School holds the entry standard at the same level each year. If a child is suited to the School then it should not matter how many others take the Entrance Examination that year. We aim to issue offers within approximately a fortnight of the tests as we think confidence is boosted if we let them know how they have done as quickly as possible. The date on which we make our offers is fixed in consultation with the other schools in the Manchester Consortium which includes Altrincham Boys' and Girls' Grammar Schools. We do not interview unless a candidate is considered borderline in terms of suitability for a Cestrian education.

A few Scholarships are offered each year and a larger number of means-tested Bursaries. Anyone wishing to apply for a bursary is asked to request a Bursary Application Form.

We also welcome applications into Years 8, 9 and 10 either for September or a mid-point transfer when children are moving into the area or are unhappy or under-achieving at their current school.

Sixth Form applications for both boys and girls are made on the basis of GCSE predictions and an interview with the Head. Applicants are expected to attain a minimum of 5 A*-C passes at GCSE but in reality most achieve substantially above this as the entry requirement represents the bare minimum for successful progress at "A" Level.