Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter (Bravely, Faithfully, Cheerfully). This motto, adopted in 1910, still guides England's largest single-sex grammar school. Named The Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year in the Northwest for 2026 and placed ninth nationally, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls delivers academic results that rival the country's most selective independent schools. The 2022 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding across all areas, describing the quality of education as exceptional. With over 1,380 students across three interconnected sites in upmarket Bowdon, this is a large school with a remarkably cohesive community feel.

Beyond the gates, the atmosphere is purposeful. Students move briskly between lessons in their navy blazers, and the library fills at break times. The school occupies a distinctive blend of buildings spanning more than a century of architecture, from the original Edwardian structures to modern purpose-built facilities.

Founded in 1910 as a product of the Education Act 1902, the school was designed to provide enhanced education for girls in an era when such opportunities were rare. The original building, constructed on the grounds of the former Bowdon Lodge, accommodated 180 children. Today, around 1,384 students are split between three nearby sites, only a short walk apart.

Ms Stephanie Gill has led the school since 2014. A Cambridge graduate in Natural Sciences who went on to qualify in mathematics teaching, she arrived from a deputy headship at West Kirby Grammar. Her academic credentials are formidable; she holds additional qualifications in mathematics and psychology from the Open University, a diploma in French, a master's in education, and has recently completed A-levels in history and biology. This commitment to continued learning shapes the school's culture; high aspirations are expected and modelled by leadership.

The school joined the Bright Futures Educational Trust as an academy, maintaining its grammar school character while benefiting from the trust's resources. A centenary garden, built in 2010 to mark a hundred years of girls' education on this site, provides a green space for reflection amid the busy campus.

Academic performance places Altrincham Grammar School for Girls among the highest-achieving schools in England. At GCSE, the school ranks 91st in England and 1st in Altrincham (FindMySchool ranking), sitting in the elite tier among the top 2% of schools nationally.

In 2024, 90.4% of GCSE grades achieved 9-7, with 46.3% at the very highest grades of 9-8. The average Attainment 8 score of 81.6 far exceeds the England average. Progress 8 stands at an exceptional +1.01, indicating students make substantially more progress than would be expected from their starting points.

At A-level, the picture is equally strong. The school ranks 76th in England and 1st in Altrincham for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% of sixth forms nationally. In 2024, 68.1% of grades were A*/A, with 88.7% achieving A*-B. These results compare favourably to the England averages of 23.6% at A*/A and 47.2% at A*-B.

Everyone takes nine GCSEs, a deliberate choice by the school to reduce pressure and maintain time for extracurricular pursuits. A modern foreign language is compulsory, with options including French, Spanish, and German. Most students take three A-levels, with up to a dozen opting for four. The biggest cohorts tend to be in maths, biology, chemistry and psychology. Over half the year group complete an Extended Project Qualification.

Teaching at AGGS follows research-informed approaches, with staff trained to use evidence-based strategies. Class sizes average 17 students to every teacher, providing a balance between discussion-based learning and individual attention. Teachers are described as passionate about their subjects, and the collaborative approach in lessons encourages students to discuss questions in small groups before sharing insights with the wider class.

The curriculum is designed for academically able students who thrive on intellectual challenge. Homework is set with purpose rather than simply to fill time, and the school’s published time-guidelines increase through the year groups. Holiday homework is generally light, rising only as public examinations approach, though students often choose to read around their subjects independently.

Academic support operates through multiple channels. At lunchtimes, teachers run weekly drop-in help sessions for pupils finding a subject challenging. Sixth form students volunteer as academic peer mentors, offering one-to-one support to younger students. The school can access educational psychologists through the Bright Futures Trust for students who need additional assessment or support strategies.

Approximately 4.5% of students receive SEN support, primarily for dyslexia, autism, ADHD, or social, emotional and mental health needs. Support is delivered mainly within lessons, with accommodations including coloured overlays, iPads, reading pens and, where helpful, noise-cancelling headphones.

The sixth form sends the vast majority of leavers to Russell Group universities. In 2024, 64.5% secured places at Russell Group institutions, with 8.28% gaining Oxbridge places. Manchester, UCL, Sheffield, Bristol, Leeds, and Edinburgh feature prominently among destinations.

The school's Oxbridge record is strong. In the measurement period, 47 students applied to Oxford and Cambridge, with 15 receiving offers and 14 accepting places. The school ranks 71st in England for combined Oxbridge acceptances (FindMySchool ranking), with particular strength in Cambridge applications where 10 of 22 applicants secured places.

Medicine remains popular, with approximately 50 students pursuing medical applications in recent years. The school provides structured support for competitive applications, including a dedicated programme for Oxbridge and medical school candidates. During careers week, parent volunteers conduct practice interviews, giving every sixth former experience of talking about their skills to an unfamiliar adult.

There is growing interest in higher-level apprenticeships, with students securing positions at firms including Morgan Stanley, Jaguar Land Rover and Ernst & Young. Around 12% of leavers take gap years before progressing to university.

Careers advice begins in Year 7, with alumnae returning to discuss career pathways. The UCAS preparation process starts in Year 12 with a dedicated day off timetable when everyone creates their UCAS account.

Competition for places is fierce. Year 7 entry for September 2026 attracted significant demand, with 462 applications for 208 places in the most recent admissions round, a subscription ratio of 2.2 applications per place.

Students sit the Trafford consortium entrance examination, administered by GL Assessment. The test comprises two papers of approximately one hour each, covering verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics. Results are age-standardised. For September 2026 entry, registration opened on 24 April 2025 and closed on 20 June 2025. The examination takes place in mid-September, with results released in mid-October.

The pass mark for 2026 entry is 334. Students who achieve a pass are then ranked according to oversubscription criteria. Priority goes first to looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school, followed by students eligible for pupil premium within the catchment area, then siblings within catchment, then other students within catchment ranked by proximity.

The catchment area extends to an eight-mile radius from the school's main entrance, measured in a straight line. Offers typically go to families living within five to eleven miles. Tutoring in Year 5 is common in the area, though the school runs a support programme for pupil premium students.

Approximately 20 students join externally at sixth form. The same entry thresholds apply to internal and external applicants: candidates need grade 7+ in four GCSEs, plus two further GCSEs at grade 6+ (including English and mathematics at grade 6 or better). Grade 7s are required in chosen A-level subjects.

Open Evening for September 2026 entry takes place on Thursday 19 June between 4pm and 8pm. This is a drop-in event with no booking required. Ms Gill gives talks to parents at several points throughout the evening.

Pastoral provision is comprehensive. Each term, students complete a mental health and wellbeing survey, helping the school spot concerns early. A full-time pastoral assistant serves the main school, with another dedicated to the sixth form. Three part-time counsellors provide up to 25 appointments weekly, though there is often a waiting list.

Sensory rooms in both the main school and sixth form offer soft lighting, weighted blankets, comfortable seating, and calming craft activities for students who need respite. The school uses the All on Board programme, an adaptation of the Girls on Board friendship management programme, to help students manage social dynamics.

Mobile phones are not permitted during break times in the main school, a policy designed to encourage face-to-face interaction. Older students act as peer mentors and anti-bullying ambassadors for younger cohorts.

The school uses gender-neutral language when addressing groups and emphasises inclusion visibly. Diversity is celebrated in small ways too: coloured umbrellas hang from the dining-room ceiling. Approximately 70% of students come from minority ethnic backgrounds. Lunchtime clubs range from Christian Union to an Islamic society, and Hindu students organise an annual cultural celebration that draws enthusiastic participation from across the school community.

Over 50 clubs run at lunchtimes and after school, with students encouraged to establish their own. The range spans the predictable to the unusual: Model United Nations (which regularly wins competitions), Dungeons and Dragons, manga club, fantasy map-making, and coding club all feature alongside traditional offerings.

Dance

Dance is a defining feature of school life. A purpose-built studio hosts year-group specific clubs alongside specialist sessions in hip hop, cheer, lyrical, Indian, jazz, and contemporary styles. Over 200 students participate in the annual dance show, and auditions select dancers to represent the school in the Silver Company (a name that plays on the school's AGGS initials matching the chemical symbol for silver).

Music

Fifteen choirs, orchestras, and musical ensembles operate across the school, some student-led. Approximately 15% of students take private lessons, covering everything from harp to drums. For practice, the school has five rooms; piano and violin slots often have waiting lists. Students perform in end-of-term concerts and a Year 8 Eurovision (where each form sings in a language it has chosen), alongside a biennial music festival.

Drama

Drama runs as a practical subject in Years 7-9, with GCSE and A-level options available. Around 150 students take LAMDA examinations. The summer play is a major production; recent performances have included a musical version of Shrek involving some 60 students. The school's Mock Trial team recently won their competition at Manchester Crown Court.

Sport

Sports facilities include a four-court hall, six netball courts (which become tennis courts in summer) and hockey pitches spanning one grass and two all-weather surfaces. Teams run from A and B squads through to C (and sometimes D) in the lower years. Trials are described as inclusive, welcoming students regardless of prior experience. Interform competitions in netball and hockey involve almost the entire school, whether playing or supporting with pompoms and banners.

Enrichment

Around 150 students undertake Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, with 70 progressing to Silver and 20 to Gold. An annual expedition programme visits destinations including Costa Rica. Other trips range from Iceland geography fieldwork and the Euro Space Centre (Belgium) to skiing in France and language exchanges with Germany and Spain.

The school day runs from approximately 8:30am to 3:30pm. Breakfast club operates from 7:45am to 8:25am daily. Lessons take place across three Bowdon sites, connected by short walks that students describe as providing mini breaks between lessons.

Car parking is limited, with a few spaces available on site for sixth formers. A shared bus service with other local grammar schools, along with good public transport links via bus, train, and Metrolink tram, serves the school. Altrincham and Bowdon stations are both accessible.

The sixth form café and the main school dining room offer varied menus. Uniform for Years 7-11 comprises navy blazer and trousers or skirt from the school supplier, with an efficient second-hand system available. In the sixth form, students wear a navy suit of their own.

Entrance competition is intense. With over 2,000 candidates sitting the Trafford consortium test for around 200 places, and tutoring widespread in the area, families should prepare for significant competition. The school does not recommend tutoring but recognises it is a fact of life locally.

Adjustment for high achievers. Students arrive having been top of their primary schools. Here, everyone was top at their primary. The peer group adjustment is ultimately positive but can initially bruise egos.

Large school logistics. With close to 1,400 students split between three sites, this is a substantial institution. Communication with parents is efficient rather than frequent; newsletters are monthly or half-termly rather than weekly. Families used to smaller, more intimate schools may find the scale requires adjustment.

Single-sex environment. Boys join only as occasional visitors for combined activities. Families must decide whether an all-girls environment suits their daughter through to age 18.

Exceptional results at a school that genuinely helps academically ambitious girls reach their goals. The 2022 Outstanding Ofsted judgement across all areas reflects a well-run institution where high expectations are matched by genuine pastoral care. Dance, music, and competitive debate flourish alongside rigorous academic study. The school suits students who arrive ready to work hard and engage fully with what is offered.

Best suited to academically able girls who thrive on challenge and want access to elite university destinations. The main hurdle is entry; those who secure a place find themselves in one of England's highest-performing schools with no fees attached.