Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do you offer wrap-around care before and after school?
A: Yes, we offer comprehensive wrap-around care to support working families.
Morning Care (Juniors only): Available from 8:00 am to 8:30 am for £4 per day.
Afternoon Care (Juniors only): Available from 4:00 pm. Costs are £4 (until 5:00 pm) or £7 (until 5:45 pm).
Senior Pupils: Can stay until 5:30 pm in designated workspaces throughout the week.
(Note: Separate charges apply for some specific Friday afternoon enrichment and care.)
Q: Does the school provide transport or a minibus service?
A: Yes, we operate a fleet of five Cransley Minibuses covering extensive routes across Cheshire and Greater Manchester. We endeavour to provide a to-the-door bus service where possible. Current termly rates are based on your distance from the school:
Inner radius (1-4 miles): £835 per term
Middle radius (5-9 miles): £911 per term
Outer radius (10+ miles): £1,000 per term
Our routes currently serve areas including Altrincham, Hale, Knutsford, Warrington, Lymm, Stockton Heath, and Frodsham.
Q: What is the maximum class size at Cransley School?
A: To ensure personalised attention and support, we limit our class sizes depending on the cohort. We are able to extend our classes to 20 if suitable, however we rarely do so.
Early Years (Reception to Year 2): Average of 15 pupils per class.
Junior and Senior School (Year 3 to Year 11): Average of 17 pupils per class.
Q: What is the admissions process for joining the Senior School (Year 7 entry)?
A: Our admissions process for Year 7 is designed to ensure a good fit for both the pupil and the school.
Enquiry & Visit: We recommend starting by attending an Open Day or booking a personal tour.
Application: Submit an application form by the deadline (usually the first Friday in December).
Taster & Assessment Days: Candidates are invited for assessment in English, Mathematics, and creative tasks, alongside cognitive ability tests (GL Assessment).
Interview: All candidates are interviewed by the Headteacher or a Senior Management team member.
Offer: We look for pupils meeting age-related expectations (SAS 90+ / Y6 SATS Scaled Score 100+) who show exemplary attitude and conduct.
Q: How do children join the Early Years or Junior School?
A: The process is gentle and focused on familiarity:
Early Years (Reception): There is no formal assessment. Children visit for one or two familiarisation sessions where personal, social, and emotional skills are gently observed.
Years 3-6: Children are invited to visit the school, preferably for two consecutive days. During this time, they will undergo age-appropriate cognitive, reading, and mathematics assessments to ensure they can access our curriculum.
Q: What do the tuition fees cover?
A: As a not-for-profit charity, every penny of our fee income goes directly toward the education of our pupils. Investing in a Cransley Education includes more than just tuition. Our fees cover:
Small class sizes (max 15-17 pupils)
Most extracurricular clubs
The assurance that your child is known, nurtured, and supported.
(Please note: Lunches, transport, and a Google Chromebook purchase on admission are billed separately).