About The Grange School
The Grange School is an independent school using the CEM Select online assessment for Year 7 entry. The 60-minute CEM Select test covers Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
The Grange School offers an outstanding education with excellent academic standards, small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. GCSE 9–7: 65.3%.
About the CEM-style 11+ Test for The Grange School
The Grange School is a co-educational independent school in England that historically used the CEM 11+ entrance test (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, University of Durham) for Year 7 admission. Note that many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or bespoke entrance tests since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022 — verify the current format on the school's website. The school admits approximately a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September, and applications are made directly to The Grange School (registration fee payable).
The CEM-style 11+ format traditionally consists of one or two papers covering English (comprehension, cloze passages, vocabulary), Mathematics (numerical reasoning, problem-solving), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. CEM scores are age-standardised so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. The CEM-style is the established alternative reference format to GL Assessment.
For 2026 entry, the The Grange School entrance exam is held in January of Year 6, with results and offers issued in February-March (varies by school).
The Grange School is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (available places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for The Grange School
The Grange School Admissions Criteria
The Grange School is an independent school using the CEM Select online assessment for Year 7 entry. The 60-minute CEM Select test covers Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
- ✓Attend an Open Day or arranged visit to The Grange School — check the school website for dates.
- ✓Complete the Registration Form on the school website and pay the registration fee.
- ✓A reference is requested from the child's current school. Based on a satisfactory report, the candidate is invited to sit the assessment.
- ✓Sit the CEM Select online assessment at the school (approximately 60 minutes): three sections covering Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- ✓Attend a short interview with a member of the admissions team, focusing on interests, motivation and personal qualities.
- ✓No fixed pass mark — selection is based on overall performance in the assessment, interview and school reference.
- ✓An offer is usually made within 1–2 weeks of the interview and assessment.
- ✓Academic, Music, Sport, Art and All-Rounder Scholarships may be available — contact the school for details.
- ✓Means-tested Bursaries may be available for financially eligible families.
- ✓Confirm the place by completing an Acceptance Form and paying the required deposit.
The Grange School Oversubscription Criteria
For 2026 Year 7 entry, The Grange School ranks applicants by performance in the CEM-style entrance assessment. The following selection priorities are typically applied:
- Children who meet the academic standard in The Grange School's entrance assessment (CEM-style)
- Children with siblings currently attending the school
- Children of former pupils (alumni connections)
- Children with strong references from current primary head
- Children of staff members (where applicable)
- Distance from school / catchment priority (some independents)
- Children ranked by performance in the assessment up to The Grange School's places available
- Tiebreak: interview performance, references, or other school-specific criteria
Key Dates & Deadlines — The Grange School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Varies by school (typically open Sept/Oct of Year 5) |
| 📌 Registration closes | Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies) |
| 📌 CEM-style 11+ Entrance Test | January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format) |
| 📌 Test results released | February of Year 6 |
| 📌 Offers issued by school | February-March (varies by school) |
How to Apply to The Grange School Directly
Step 1 — Attend an Open Day at The Grange School
Visit during Year 5 to meet staff, tour the school and assess fit. Independent school open days are usually in Sept-Nov.
Step 2 — Register your child with The Grange School
Complete the registration form on the school's website. Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies). A registration fee usually applies.
Step 3 — Sit the school's entrance assessment
The Grange School's entrance exam (CEM-style format) is typically held in January of Year 6. Covers English, Mathematics, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus interview.
Step 4 — Provide school references
Your child's current Head Teacher will be asked to submit a confidential reference. Strong references are particularly important for independent schools.
Step 5 — Attend an interview
Most independent schools interview shortlisted candidates. Interviews assess motivation, character and academic potential.
Step 6 — Receive your offer
Offers issued by The Grange School in February-March (varies by school). Compare with offers from any other independent schools applied to.
Step 7 — Accept your place and pay deposit
Accept your offer in writing and pay the acceptance deposit (typically £500-£2,000, deducted from first-term fees) by the school's deadline.
CEM Select Subjects Tested at The Grange School
How to Prepare for the The Grange School 11+ Exam
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CEM Practice Papers and Quest Software for The Grange School
The Grange School uses the CEM 11+ format. Our practice papers mirror that exact format, with a short tutor video explaining every question. Quest, our interactive practice software, comes in a CEM edition too: 3,560 questions across Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning in short tests with medals to win, an Exam Hall of timed mocks, CEM-style sitting papers, flashcards, a daily five, a Weekly Challenge set by a friendly Guardian and a hero your child unlocks by learning, with a working-out board under every question and My Corrections — plus a Skills Report and a week-by-week plan for parents. Start with the free samples, then choose a pack when you're ready.
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View CEM practice papers →Academic Performance at The Grange School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
The Grange is one of Cheshire’s top-performing independent schools, regularly appearing in national league tables, with strong results across the school.
- GCSE: a high proportion of strong GCSE grades (around 72% at grade 9–7 in a recent year).
- A-Level: strong A-Level and EPQ results across a broad curriculum.
- Progression: high rates of progression to leading universities, supported by individual guidance.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for The Grange School
The Grange School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across Northwich, the surrounding Cheshire area and beyond, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits in the semi-rural village of Hartford, just south of Northwich; it is a day school and entry is by assessment rather than catchment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
The Grange School is a co-educational independent day school (ages 4–18) founded as a prep school in 1933, with its senior school opening in 1978; its motto, ‘E Glande Robur’ (from an acorn, an oak), captures its all-through ethos. It is known for high academic standards alongside a strong sense of community.
There is a wide enrichment programme of more than 90 activities, from Model United Nations to sport, music and drama, supported by facilities including a 350-seat theatre. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Grange School
How do I apply to The Grange School for Year 7?
Applications to The Grange School are made directly to the school. Register on the school's website (registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies)), pay the registration fee, sit the entrance exam, and attend an interview if shortlisted.
Does The Grange School use the CEM 11+ test?
The Grange School historically used the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) 11+ entrance test. Since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022, many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or developed bespoke entrance tests. Practice papers in the CEM-style format remain valuable preparation as the topic areas (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) are still tested in most formats.
What's the difference between CEM and GL Assessment?
Both test similar subjects (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) but differ in style: CEM was designed to be less coachable with broader vocabulary and varied question types per paper; GL Assessment has more structured, predictable papers per subject area. Many former CEM schools now use GL Assessment after CEM 11+ was retired in 2022.
How many Year 7 places does The Grange School have?
The Grange School admits a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly.
When is the 11+ test for The Grange School?
For 2026 entry, The Grange School's 11+ entrance assessment is held in January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for The Grange School?
The Grange School sets its own qualifying mark each year based on the standardised score distribution of applicants. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) according to performance in the entrance assessment.
Is The Grange School a state school or fee-paying?
The Grange School is an independent fee-paying school. Registration fees, entrance exam fees, and tuition fees apply. Bursaries and scholarships are typically available for academically able pupils from lower-income families — check the school's website for details.
How can my child prepare for the The Grange School 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete CEM-style 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question, and downloadable resources covering English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the test for best results.
Where can I find The Grange School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for The Grange School 2026 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, current test format, qualifying mark, supplementary forms, and any school-specific application requirements.
Start preparing for the The Grange School 11+
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