Schools south Manchester/ north Cheshire any views?

[dottydoolittle]

Am keen to move my ds in September. He will be entering year 5. Am considering Kings, Macclesfield, Cheadle Hulme or Manchester Grammar.

Does anyone have any experience/ views on the above schools? Would be very grateful for any info as am very confused!!!

[Migsy1]

My friend sends all her kids to Cheadle Hulme so she must be happy with it.

I have 2 friends who have/had sons at MGS - both boys hated it and were bullied. These friends say the pastoral care is non-existent and you have to fit a mould. I've never heard anything good about MGS but I'm sure someone will come on here and say different. It gets ace results of course, but I suspect this is at the expense of the overall welfare of the child.

[dottydoolittle]

Very interesting Migsy 1 and thanks for that. We have looked around MGS and I did wonder about pastrol care being an issue. It didnt feel particulary nuturing and friendly in the Junior department but I wondered if it felt like this as they were very hard at work and business like when we went. Hmmmm.....

[dottydoolittle]

Thanks for the info typicalvigro.

I think ds is well above above average academically but I am more interested in an all round education. Im hoping that if he is happy then the good grades should come anyway where ever he is!?!<br /> <br /> Yes, Ive heard lovely comments about The Grange but unfortunately its too far out for us.

[RandomHouseRules]

My views might be a bit out of date as I attended a (girls) school in the area a decade plus ago - I had a large group of friends from MGS. I would say from my personal experience (and my understanding is that things haven't changed much) is that MGS is a great school for very academic and VERY confident boys. If you have a more sensitive child I think there are better options. I still know a great many ex-MGS boys and they are all now very successful and actually really nice guys for the most part and I do think it is an excellent school. However, there was a story I heard about the first year boys being told when they first arrived that they would always be able to be confident that they were the most intelligent people in any room. Some of them certainly took this seriously and were supremely arrogant as a result!

I know less about Cheadle Hulme but know a few people who went there and all seemed to have a good time and more rounded than MGS.

[MarshmallowFarm]

I went to CH many, many moons ago and have very happy memories. It was a lovely, caring environment where the big kids helped the little ones and there was something for everyone.

I also hear fantastic things about Stockport Grammar School. Maybe slightly more traditional than CH but sounds as if the pastoral care is far better than MGS.

[Migsy1]

Apart from my friends' boys who went to MGS my next door neighbours' son did too. He did great academically but he was impossible to have any interaction with. I never saw a single mate call round to his house either.

[dottydoolittle]

Thanks to you all for your very interesting comments so far.

Mgs certainly seems to be for a certain type of boy. My ds I'm beginning to think might not be a perfect fit. Although academic he is not the most confident of boys. I think that perhaps a more nurturing environment may be better.

Does anyone have any comments on CH with regard to sport. I have heard it's quite competitive and unless you are in the A team you don't get a game. Is this true?

We had a look at Stockport but Kings had the edge for us although it was very good.

Have also been told that Kings is less academic than CH. Anyone agree/disagree?

[Migsy1]

I think when looking at a school you should see whether or not they achieve the best from the child. Results may reflect the academic standard of the intake. If a wider range of ability is selected it does not mean the school is any less academic. You need to try to assess if every child in the school is encouraged to meet his or her full potential, whatever that potential may be.
Have you checked the reports for these schools? There is an independent school inspection system, like Ofsted. This will give you an idea about entry level and exit level and the general ethos of the school.

I don't know about sports at CH. My friends daughters are very sporty so perhaps that is why she chose it and they do have a sports scholarship as well.

[Margarite]

My son was a pupil at MGS and can confirm that the academic level is high and can also confirm that high academic results ALWAYS take priority. If, you can guarantee that your son will NEVER require any pastoral or welfare support, then send him to MGS.
I was blissfully unaware of this until I approached the school several times following the deaths of more than one of our external family, which occurred close to my son?s exams. Areas of his studies were missed due to obvious grieving issues. In brief there was no pastoral care, no one approached him for a chat (even though we expressed that he would have appreciated some support at school), subject teachers were not informed and our son was left to play "catch-up" on his own!!!!

[Heswall]

Our school always beats Kings of Macc at netball I know that much.

I think Kings would be my first choice in that area, the kids are lovely.

[cinnamonnut]

I'm at King's sixth form - I like it, but MGS has an amazing reputation and is very academic.

[cinnamonnut]

Oh and SGS has a rather horrible uniform, but again has a good reputation

[ginnybag]

Would the Altrincham Grammar School be too far?? The boy's school is fab - I went to the Girl's (and I wouldn't recommend it unless capable/confident) but the boy's is better balanced from what my cousin tells me (he teaches there!)

[TIDDLYMUM]

We live in Stockport- my son attends Altrincham Grammar , he loves it and therefore doesn't mind the long bus ride.

Teaching superb, pastoral care excellent.

Yes its academic and standards are high, probably not quite as academic as MGS.

THe school really seems to know each boy- and are really good at stretching where able and supporting where extra help is needed.

Feel free to ask any questions.

[Migsy1]

Alty Grammar is extremely competitive for entry I believe. Sounds like a great school.

[TIDDLYMUM]

Yes competitive and there are a lot of prep school boys. There are some super brainy boys,some less so, I would say a wide ability range.

[dottydoolittle]

Thankyou so much everyone for all the responses. Altricham Grammar is definitely on our radar for secondry schools but we`d like to sort out an independant for Year 5 and 6 and possibily further depending on our situation nearer the time.

Having looked and listened to a lot of people, we have at last decided on Kings as a lovely all round school offering lots of opportunities in a not too pressurised enviroment.

Hope it all works out!

[hassan10]

Hi Im new on here and wondered if anyone can help me. I have two boys aged 10 and 12 and would like to get them into either Altrincham or Cheadle Grammar School. Can anyone please recommend a good study routine as Im finding it difficult to motivate them, I know we have left it late but I sure with the correct study and routine it will become possible.
Thank you.