--- type: "Article" title: "Trafford 11+ Changes: FSCE From 2028 Entry" description: "Trafford 11+ changes explained: GL for 2027 entry, an FSCE English and maths test from 2028 entry, and a Year 5 test date from 2029 entry." resource: https://pip11plus.com/trafford-11-plus-changes-2028-2029 tags: ["11+", "pip"] timestamp: 2026-10-13T19:50:09Z image: https://pip11plus.com/info-hub-cards/regional-tests-pip.jpg --- 馃摑 Exam Types # Trafford 11+ Changes: FSCE From 2028 Entry ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) **By the Pip team** Updated September 2026 The Trafford grammar schools are changing their 11+ test. Children now in Year 6 sit the GL reasoning test as before, but children now in Years 3 to 5 will sit a new FSCE test in English and maths. This guide shows which test your child sits, what that means for preparation and a simple plan for each year group. It is based on the consortium schools' own announcements, and Pip is not affiliated with the consortium or FSCE. **TL;DR** - **Year 6 now (2027 entry):** GL test of verbal, non-verbal and maths reasoning, sat in September 2026. - **Year 5 now (2028 entry):** FSCE test in KS2 English and maths, sat in September 2027. - **Year 4 or younger now (2029 entry onwards):** FSCE test, sat in the late summer term of Year 5. - From 2028 entry there is **no verbal or non-verbal reasoning**. ## Which test does my child sit? Find your child's current school year in the second column. School years below are for the 2026 to 2027 school year. | Entry to Year 7 | Child is in now (2026 to 2027) | Test sat | Test provider | Subjects | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | September 2027 | Year 6 | September 2026 (start of Year 6) | GL Assessment | Verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning | | September 2028 | Year 5 | September 2027 (start of Year 6) | FSCE | KS2 English and maths up to the end of Year 5. No verbal or non-verbal reasoning. | | September 2029 | Year 4 | Late summer term 2028 (end of Year 5) | FSCE | KS2 English and maths up to the end of Year 5 | | September 2030 | Year 3 | Late summer term 2029 (end of Year 5) | FSCE | KS2 English and maths up to the end of Year 5 | The five schools are Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar School, Stretford Grammar School and Urmston Grammar School. One test still covers all five. ## What changes, in plain words - **New provider.** FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) replaces GL Assessment from 2028 entry. - **New subjects.** The test covers the KS2 English and maths curriculum up to the end of Year 5, not reasoning puzzles. - **New date from 2029 entry.** The test moves from September of Year 6 to the latter part of the summer term of Year 5. The consortium has not yet published paper timings, question styles or whether there is a writing task. Check the school websites before you plan around those details. ## What it means for preparation For 2028 entry onwards, you can stop verbal and non-verbal reasoning practice. Put that time into reading, [vocabulary](https://pip11plus.com/ks2-games-arcade/11-plus-vocabulary-games/), grammar, punctuation and maths from the school curriculum. The content stops at the end of Year 5, so depth matters more than racing ahead. A child who is secure and quick with Year 5 fractions, decimals, percentages and written methods is better placed than one who has skimmed Year 6 topics. From 2029 entry the test comes about a term earlier. That means Year 5 is the whole preparation year, not Year 5 plus the summer holiday. Other FSCE tests include a creative writing paper, which Trafford has not confirmed. A short weekly writing habit is useful anyway and costs little. ## A short plan by year group ### Year 6 now (2027 entry) Your child sits the GL test in September 2026, so nothing changes for you. See our [Trafford 11+ guide](https://pip11plus.com/trafford-11-plus-explained) for the GL format and results timing. ### Year 5 now (2028 entry) Your child sits the FSCE test in September 2027, at the start of Year 6. Use this year to make Year 5 English and maths secure, then use the summer for timed practice and any weak topics. ### Year 4 now (2029 entry) Your child sits the test in summer 2028, near the end of Year 5. Build strong Year 4 foundations now, especially [times tables](https://pip11plus.com/ks2-games-arcade/times-tables-games/) and daily reading, so Year 5 can focus on new content and practice. ### Year 3 now (2030 entry) There is no rush, as the test is in summer 2029. Reading for pleasure, a wide vocabulary and fluent number facts are the best start. ### English and maths at your child's level Pip gives short, adaptive maths and English practice that starts at your child's level and moves on as they improve. Start the app and try it free. English Maths [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) iPhone & iPad 路 No ads 路 No sign-up 路 Free forever ## Sources These facts come from the consortium schools and Trafford Council, checked on 27 September 2026. Arrangements can change, so confirm with the schools before you register. - [Urmston Grammar School: Admissions Update, Summer 2026](https://www.urmstongrammar.org.uk/page/?pid=282) - [Altrincham Grammar School for Boys: New Entrance Exam Provider](https://www.agsb.co.uk/page/?pid=386) - [Sale Grammar School: consortium appoints new provider](https://www.salegrammar.co.uk/7862/trafford-grammar-school-consortium-appoints-new-provider-for-admissions-test) - [Trafford Council: entrance test for grammar schools](https://www.trafford.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/starting-school-and-admissions/starting-secondary-school/entrance-test-grammar-schools) ## Frequently asked questions **Is the Trafford 11+ changing to FSCE?** Yes. The Trafford Grammar School Consortium has appointed FSCE as its test provider for entry to Year 7 from September 2028. **Does the new Trafford test include verbal or non-verbal reasoning?** No. From 2028 entry the test draws on the KS2 English and maths curriculum up to the end of Year 5, in place of verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning. **My child is in Year 6 now. Which test do they sit?** Children starting Year 7 in September 2027 sit the GL Assessment reasoning test in September 2026. The change does not affect them. **When will children now in Year 4 sit the test?** They are the first group for the earlier date. For 2029 entry the test is held in the latter part of the summer term of Year 5, so summer 2028. **Is there a writing task in the new Trafford test?** The consortium has not said yet. Other FSCE tests include a creative writing paper, so a regular writing habit is a sensible hedge until the format is published. **Which schools use the Trafford test?** Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar School, Stretford Grammar School and Urmston Grammar School. One test covers all five. ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) Written by **The Pip team** The Pip team builds Pip, the 11+ and KS2 practice app for children in years three to six. We write these guides from real exam formats and past papers. ## Keep reading [Trafford 11+ Explained](https://pip11plus.com/trafford-11-plus-explained): Exam Types The full Trafford guide, with the 2027 GL test. 7 min read 路 Exam Types [FSCE 11+ Explained](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-explained): Exam Types The provider behind the new Trafford test. 7 min read 路 Exam Types [Free Trafford 11+ practice](https://pip11plus.com/trafford-11-plus-practice-papers-and-questions): Free Practice Try free questions and printable papers. 8 min read 路 Free Practice ## Preparing for the new Trafford test? Pip gives adaptive English and maths practice that starts at your child's level. [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) [Free practice papers](https://pip11plus.com/11-plus-printables) Free forever 路 no sign-up