About Bury Grammar School
Bury Grammar School is a boys independent day school in Lancashire & Cumbria. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Bury Grammar School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. Ranked #291 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 67.2%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Bury Grammar School
Bury Grammar School Admissions Criteria
Bury Grammar School is a boys independent day school in Lancashire & Cumbria. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Bury Grammar School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Bury Grammar School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Bury Grammar School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at Bury Grammar School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Bury Grammar School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Bury Grammar School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Bury Grammar School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Bury Grammar School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Bury Grammar School
Step 1 — Visit Bury Grammar School in Greater Manchester
Visit Bury Grammar School in Greater Manchester — arrange a personal tour
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your child's current school
Step 5 — Your child sits the entrance assessment at Bury Grammar
Your child sits the entrance assessment at Bury Grammar
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at Bury Grammar School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Bury Grammar School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Bury Grammar School is an independent school in Bury, Greater Manchester (founded 1884; refounded 1726 by Rev'd Roger Kay). 714 pupils. Diamond model: 3-11 mixed, 11-16 single-sex (girls), 16-18 mixed. Principal: Jo Anderson. Church of England affiliation. Times rank #291.
Independent Practice Papers for Bury Grammar School
Bury Grammar School uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
Academic Performance at Bury Grammar School (GCSE & A‑Level Results)
Bury Grammar School has a long tradition of academic excellence across its Boys’ and Girls’ Schools.
| 📈 GCSE 2024 — grades 9–7 | ~50% (about one in three at 8–9) |
| 🎓 A‑Level — A*–B | ~70% (around 45% A*/A) |
| 🎓 Destinations | leading universities incl. Oxbridge & Russell Group |
(Figures are the school’s published results and vary year to year; see the school’s website for the latest.)
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular Life
Each of the Bury Grammar schools offers a caring, family environment where pupils are known and nurtured as individuals, with wellbeing built around their individual needs.
Sport & facilities
First‑class facilities include a swimming pool, 3G pitches and specialist science laboratories, supporting a wide sporting programme (netball, basketball, rugby, football, swimming, athletics and more).
Beyond the classroom
Music (including concert band), drama, public speaking and a host of clubs run alongside leadership roles as prefects and mentors, all within a high‑performing co‑educational Sixth Form.
Bury Grammar School Admissions — FAQ
How do I apply to Bury Grammar School?
You apply directly to the school — there is no Local Authority Common Application Form. Register for the 11+ entrance examination by December of the year before entry; strong performers are invited to interview in February, with offers by the end of that month.
Is Bury Grammar School a state grammar? Does it use the GL Assessment?
No — despite the historic name, it is an independent (fee‑paying) school with its own entrance examination. There is no GL Assessment, CAF or National Offers Day.
Is it co‑educational?
It is a ‘diamond’ school: a co‑educational Pre‑School, Infants and Primary, separate Boys’ and Girls’ senior schools (ages 11–16), and a co‑educational Sixth Form.
What does the 11+ assessment involve?
The school’s own papers in English (writing and comprehension, including spelling, grammar and inference) and Mathematics (problem‑solving and arithmetic), assessing three broad areas, followed by an interview for those who do well.
How good are the results?
Results are strong: in 2024 around half of GCSE grades were 9–7 (about one in three at grade 8–9), and at A‑Level roughly 70% of grades are A*–B, with leavers progressing to leading universities including Oxbridge and the Russell Group.
Do Primary Division pupils sit the 11+?
No — children already in the Bury Grammar Primary Division transfer into the Senior Schools without sitting the 11+ entrance examination.
How to Prepare for the Bury Grammar School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.