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Are you considering a grammar school in Manchester for your child's secondary education?
There are seven grammar schools in Greater Manchester to choose from. Most are in the borough of Trafford, and one school ranks within the top 10 state secondary schools in the UK.
Keep reading to learn about the best grammar schools in Manchester and how to help your child prepare for the 11+.
What are grammar schools?
A grammar school is a secondary school in the UK that selects pupils based on their academic ability. Children applying for a place at a grammar school take an entrance exam in Year 6 known as the 11 plus (11+). The pupils with the highest scores are then eligible for a place in Year 7.
You do not need to pay school fees if your child attends a grammar school. Grammar schools are funded by the state (government). They are the only state-funded secondary schools in England that can select pupils based on academic ability.
Most of the grammar schools in Greater Manchester use the same 11+ exam. This is set by the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium.
How many grammar schools are there in Greater Manchester?
There are seven grammar schools in Greater Manchester. The majority are in Trafford:
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The 5 best grammar schools in Manchester
1. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
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Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGGS) is a girls' grammar school founded in 1902. It prides itself on outstanding exam results and students' sports and cultural successes.
Pastoral care is integral to education at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls. The school has a strong national reputation as one of the first National Teaching Schools. AGGS is the third-best girls' state school in the country and the Sunday Times named it the Northwest State Secondary School of the Decade.
Town: Altrincham
Local council: Trafford Council
Gender: girls
Number of pupils: 1,300+
GCSE results (2023): 91.2% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 85.3% A*–B
National rank: 10
11+ exam: Trafford 11 plus
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11+ guide
2. Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
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Altrincham Grammar School for Boys was founded in 1912. The school was named Northwest Secondary School of the Year for Academic Performance 2024 by the Sunday Times.
There is a strong focus on diversity, equality and inclusion, and student leadership. Students have a track record of success in sports, the arts, engineering, science and debating. In 2013, physicist Brian Cox opened a new physics centre. There is a vibrant house system and over 100 clubs and societies on offer.
Town: Altrincham
Local council: Trafford Council
Gender: boys
Number of pupils: 1,300+
GCSE results (2023): 82.5% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 85% A*–B
National rank: 21
11+ exam: Trafford 11 plus
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys 11+ guide
3. Sale Grammar School
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Sale Grammar School is a mixed grammar school founded in 1991. Ofsted rate the school 'outstanding' and praise students' academic achievement and behaviour. The school has a strong reputation for pastoral care, with students describing the school as a big family.
Students have a diverse extracurricular programme. Many students enter school and national competitions and have reached national sports finals. Sale Grammar School was recently invited to share its excellent approach to wellbeing at a national conference.
Town: Sale
Local council: Trafford Council
Gender: boys and girls
Number of pupils: 1,300+
GCSE results (2023): 68.3% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 81.8% A*–B
National rank: 50
11+ exam: Trafford 11 plus
4. Loreto Grammar School
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Loreto Grammar School is an academically selective Catholic school for girls. It prides itself on its values of justice, sincerity, truth, freedom, joy, excellence, and internationality. It's part of a worldwide network of over 120 Loreto schools and has strong links with schools in India, Australia, Germany and Spain.
Loreto Grammar School is rooted in tradition but maintains a forward-thinking vision. Both Ofsted and the Diocese of Shrewsbury judge the school 'outstanding' in all categories. Both A levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma are available in the sixth form.
Town: Altrincham
Local council: Trafford Council
Gender: girls
Number of pupils: 1,000+
GCSE results (2023): 71.6% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 75.6% A*–B
National rank: 70
11 plus exam: English, maths and verbal reasoning
Loreto Grammar School 11+ guide
5. Urmston Grammar School
© urmstongrammar.org.uk
Urmston Grammar School is a mixed grammar school in Urmston, south west of Manchester. It was founded in 1929 and has specialist status in science and modern foreign languages.
The school is built on strong traditions but maintains a modern outlook. Students are encouraged to take pride in who they are, participate in opportunities, and empathise with others. Ofsted praises the peer-to-peer programmes and how sixth form students act as positive role models for younger pupils.
Town: Urmston
Local council: Trafford Council
Gender: boys and girls
Number of pupils: 1,000+
GCSE results (2023): 68% A*/A/9/8/7
A level results (2023): 68% A*–B
National rank: 110
11+ exam: Trafford 11 plus
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