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Original poster

Altrincham girls?

39 replies

WahWahWahs · 13/02/2024 19:53

Can anyone give me any feedback on Altrincham Girls’ school? We are moving to the area and DD will be secondary-aged in a few years.
Is the culture nice? Am completely in the dark about the whole area!
thanks in advance 😃

OP posts:
whiteboardking · 22/02/2024 22:53

The state primaries aren't supposed to deviate & do 11+ prep for the top kids. I know as many that failed to get in as managed it. All very heavily tutored. They make friends at the school but in our area 6.5 miles away they get the buses but have no local mates. That definately creates a different high school experience socially. Very long days

Africa2go · 22/02/2024 14:42

Agree with the above, it is very good for highly self motivated girls with parental support / input. Some variety with teaching standards / turnover and not always great with communication (there is a sense of "this is how we do things at AGGS, please don't comment / question / interfere with that"). Achieves outstanding results (almost half of all GCSE grades were a 9 this year) but as above, does take the most able pupils locally and across quite a large area (catchment is 8 mile radius of the school - albeit that it doesn't always offer places to the full 8 miles). Be aware that almost everyone taking the entrance exam will have been tutored throughout Year 5 and most local primaries are teaching a year ahead in Maths and English so that they've covered the syllabus before the exam is taken in Sept Yr 6 (which will include Yr 6 content).

Always have a Plan B in mind (upwards of 1500 girls take the exam for roughly 200 places - and certainly locally, teachers will advise whether to put girls in for the exam - so its generally 1500 capable of passing, not just 1500 girls of all abilities). Depending on where you are, the local alternatives are Wellington School (very good reputation but the catchment is shrinking year on year - think its about 0.8 miles at the mo), North Cestrian (think thats about 1.2 miles) or Altrincham College - slightly bigger catchment.

whiteboardking · 19/02/2024 20:35

It's fine for highly self motivated high flyers with parents to assist and tutor if needed. Massive catchment. Not for me

Original poster
WahWahWahs · 18/02/2024 07:53

Thanks for the info - all appreciated. Haven’t looked at Sale grammar but will now!

OP posts:
yoshiblue · 17/02/2024 09:50

It's an academic hot house and lots of girls self harming. I can't say it's the environment I'd be looking for my child.

Still, if you're moving to Altrincham you'll also be catchment for Sale Grammar. Excellent comprehensive choices too.

Original poster
WahWahWahs · 15/02/2024 21:33

And @JG24 , I had a similar experience in my own all girls grammar, so would love to be able to give my DD the same opportunity!

OP posts:
Original poster
WahWahWahs · 15/02/2024 21:32

Thanks for the info (and experience!)
@WarningOfGails she is academically able and enjoys school, so I have no worries about her coping in a competitive grammar if she got in.
However, I am not sure she would be definitely ranked as the top if it’s super competitive to gain a place to begin with, which is a bit of a worry.
What ‘back up’ options would anyone recommend?

OP posts:
JG24 · 15/02/2024 21:20

I'm 36 so I went a long time ago, but I thought it was wonderful
I loved school and I have always felt incredibly lucky to go there. It took me from a single parent, working class/benefits, council flat start to uni, a comfortable life and a successful job I enjoy.
As I grew up and met a variety of people who had very different experiences of school I realised how lucky I was

WarningOfGails · 15/02/2024 21:14

Is your daughter academically able?

FloweryFlump · 15/02/2024 21:10

They're part of the Trafford Consortium and have an 11+ entrance exam. AG is incredibly competitive with many hundreds more applicants than places

Original poster
WahWahWahs · 15/02/2024 21:04

Thanks so much for your replies. When you say hard to get in to, do you mean the selection test or the catchment area? We will have to buy a house and so would be keen to look at one in the right area, but this could be risky?
Thanks for all advice in advance - it’s a big move for us so I am quite stressed.

OP posts:
User19798 · 14/02/2024 18:22

The grammar?
It is very hard to get into, the hardest of the Trafford grammars.

postitnot · 14/02/2024 18:13

My daughters don't go there, but have friends that do. It seems fine, big school, high achieving. You're best to go on the open day really!

Original poster
WahWahWahs · 14/02/2024 07:41

Little bump!

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