Pownall Hall School Celebrates Outstanding 11+ Success
There is a real sense of pride at Pownall as our Form 6 pupils celebrate their 11+ results. This cohort have approached their final year with a quiet focus and a willingness to challenge themselves, and it has been a privilege to watch that unfold. What follows is not just a set of outcomes, but the story of a group of children who have made the most of their time here – and who now leave us ready for what comes next.
Twenty-seven pupils sat 11+ examinations. Between them, they received 73 offers from leading senior schools, including 10 scholarships, with an overall 98.6% exam-to-offer success rate and average of 2.8 offers per child. It is a record-breaking year for the school, but more importantly, it reflects the steady effort, growing confidence and character of this year’s Form 6.
We are incredibly proud to announce our 2026 11+ results:
Total offers received: 73
Offers of scholarships received: 10
Number of children sitting 11+ exams: 27
Average offers per child: 2.8
98.6% exam to offer
Offers received:
The King’s School, Macclesfield: 22 offers including 6 scholarships
Cheadle Hulme School: 17 offers including 2 scholarship
Manchester High School for Girls: 1 offer including 1 scholarship
Abbey Gate College: 1 offer including 1 scholarship
Stockport Grammar School: 11 offers
The Grange School: 4 offers
Manchester Grammar School: 2 offers
Hulme Hall Grammar School: 2 offers
Cransley School: 2 offers
Altrincham Grammar School: 1 offer
Westonbirt School: 1 offer
Behind each of those offers is a child who has grown over time. At Pownall, children are not selected at the outset. They are given the space to develop in a small, nurturing environment where they are known well, supported closely and encouraged to build confidence in their own way. By the time they reach Form 6, they are ready.
That preparation is guided by a dedicated and experienced 11+ team, including Mrs Caroline Hyland (Head of Maths), Mr Mike Erian (Head of English and Deputy Head Academic), Mrs Christie Farrell-Howes (English Specialist), Mr Phil Gregory (Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Teacher) and Mrs Vicky Hayton (Deputy Head Pastoral and Head of SEND). This work is led by Headmaster Mr David Goulbourn and supported day-to-day by Form 6 Form Teachers Mme Nathalie Pettecrew and Mrs Jen Hart. Together, they know each child well and understand exactly how to guide them through this stage. Their work is strengthened by a close partnership with parents, who fully embrace the Pownall journey alongside the school.
The result is not just academic success, but young people who move on with confidence and a clear sense of themselves.
Importantly, finishing exams does not mark the end of the Pownall journey.
Following their results, pupils move into the school’s Post 11+ Programme – a final term that is often one of the most memorable. Pupils take on leadership roles across the school, mentor younger children and lead events and initiatives. They also take part in the Business Enterprise project, where they develop an idea, pitch it to a panel and bring it to life as a real product. Alongside this, there are trips, productions, community projects and shared moments that mark the end of their time together.
It is a time to step up, reflect and enjoy their final months at Pownall before moving on.
Senior schools often comment on the maturity and readiness of pupils who complete this journey. That confidence is built not only through academic preparation, but through the experiences and responsibilities pupils are given along the way.
For this year’s Form 6, the focus now turns from results to celebration. Their hard work is done, their next steps are in place, and their final term at Pownall is just around the corner.