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St. Ambrose College

Overview:
St. Ambrose College

Situated in the village of Hale Barns within Trafford's Altrincham area, St Ambrose College is a Catholic grammar school catering to boys aged 11-18. Established in 1946 and converted to academy status in 2012, the school follows the motto "Vitam impendere vero" (To devote one’s life to truth).


St Ambrose College offers a diverse range of educational opportunities, with its academic provision supported by a comprehensive curriculum. Boys engage in the study of mathematics, humanities, PSHCE, languages, religious education, and various other subjects, benefiting from expert teaching and well-equipped facilities.


In the realm of physical education, the school provides a 25-metre swimming pool, an all-weather floodlit 4th generation pitch, cricket nets, and an all-weather football pitch. While sports play a central role in extracurricular activities, students also participate in drama and a variety of musical opportunities.


Prioritizing the moral and social development of students, St Ambrose’s fosters compassion and a sense of responsibility toward the needs of others, considering these qualities essential to the overall quality of school life. The Christian community at the school offers steadfast support for students' efforts and achievements, emphasizing the holistic education of the individual beyond mere academic progress.


Recent statistics reveal that 99% of St Ambrose's students either continued their education or entered employment at the end of Key Stage 4. The school holds a 'Good' rating from Ofsted and has a highly successful track record in supporting students to gain entry to Russell Group Universities.

Rank:
Type:
County / Area:
Catchment:
>100
Boys Grammar
Greater Manchester – Trafford

Criterion 3 in the oversubscription criteria specifies a priority for "Baptised Roman Catholic boys who reside in designated Local Pastoral Areas." Consequently, the arrangements prioritize individuals living in a catchment area referred to as the "designated Local Pastoral Areas." Paragraph 1.14 of the Code emphasizes that catchment areas should be reasonably and clearly defined.

Number of places in Year 7:
130
Total number of students:
963
Competition:
6+ applicants for every place
St Ambrose College, Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, UK
Address:
Website:
11+ Exam Details:
Exam Board/Format:
The Trafford 11+ exam by GL Assessment has two one-hour papers, testing:
1. Mathematics: Covers operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, statistics.
2. Verbal Reasoning (incl. Comprehension): Assesses critical thinking, language-based tasks.
3. Non-Verbal Reasoning (incl. Spatial Reasoning): Tests visual and abstract reasoning, spatial skills.


The Trafford 11+ exam, developed by GL Assessment, consists of two papers, each lasting around an hour. These papers assess three key skills through short, timed subsections:

  1. Mathematics: This section evaluates students' mathematical proficiency, problem-solving capabilities, and logical reasoning. The test covers topics such as number operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, statistics, and data handling.

  2. Verbal Reasoning (including Comprehension): These sections gauge students' reasoning skills using language-based tasks. Tasks include identifying patterns, completing analogies, solving codes, making logical deductions, and comprehension questions. This section also measures critical thinking and analytical abilities.

  3. Non-Verbal Reasoning (including Spatial Reasoning): Non-Verbal Reasoning assesses students' problem-solving skills using visual and abstract reasoning without relying on language. It involves identifying patterns, relationships, and sequences within shapes, figures, and diagrams. Spatial Reasoning, within this section, evaluates spatial awareness, mental rotation, visualization, and problem-solving skills related to visual representations of objects and space.

Exam Date:
Registration Starts:
Registration Closes:
September 2024
April 2024
July 2024

Following the completion of the test, parents will receive their child's eleven plus exam results in October through email, an online link, or a letter sent via first-class post. The final Year 7 place allocations will be published in March.

How to prepare:

We run specialist 11+ online courses focussing on the GL Assessment (Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning & Non-Verbal Reasoning). The sessions are online and highly interactive. Speak to us about how we can help your child.


Mock Exams: Our mock exams are designed to reflect the real exam in complexity and format. Click here to view the mock exam schedule.


Practice Papers: Practice packs designed to help your child master the entire syllabus.

Why Progress Academy for 
St. Ambrose College
Great institution for 11+ coaching:

My son, Akhil had his 11+ coaching in Progress Academy and cleared all the four tests (Kent, Bexley, CSSE and Redbridge) that he attended. The dedication and individual care provided by Progress Academy to each student is the key reason for this achievement.

We are fortunate to find this training centre at the right time. -Satheesh Kumar
Practice Material:
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