Looking for house and schools in/near Hale

[Pooperloopa]

Hi there, we are looking to move from Bucks to Altrincham. Where we are right now in Bucks is a grammar school area and we don't think our 10 year old will pass it. She is an average child and she hasn't been coached for the 11 plus (unlike most of her friends). We would like to move to Altrincham (particularly Hale) to be nearer to family etc, so does anyone know which secondary school she would most likely get into as I know there are a lot of grammars in Altrincham but don't know much about the others. My boy is 8 and is very sporty, is there a primary with a great reputation and a great footie team? It's proving to be quite difficult to accommodate both kids, one into swimming and one into football and know where to base ourselves that WON'T rely on grammar school entry.
I have seen some postings from a couple of years ago but wondered whether its more difficult now to get into a decent school as Altrincham has been in the press a bit lately.

We also feel a bit of a time pressure as the 10 year old will need to put some choices down this year!
Thanks.

Hi I saw your post, you are right there is a alot of grammar schools in the area and a fair few Independent schools as well, however all is not lost, there are 2 secondary schools that I know of that have a good reputation and good/outstanding Ofsted. Altrincham Arts College and Wellington School both in Timperley which is not far at all.
As for you little boy check out these football clubs local.mumsnet.com/manchester-trafford/football and if you also take a look on this site under childcare & education/primary schools then there are plenty there as well. I know that the ones with the pictures all seem to be prep schools (there are loads in these areas) this is because the schools themselves have put them on, don't be put off as there are plenty of great state schools there as well.

HI there. It depends on your religion - there is only one (state) grammar school in Altrincham for girls, and one for boys unless you are catholic. As for the catholic grammar schools (Loretto for girls and St Ambrose for boys), I don't know of Loretto taking any non-catholic girls in recent years, and although St Ambrose did historically, as far as I know it didn't this year (as its been completely renovated and has (I believe) fabulous facilities particularly for sport). All of the schools have separate entrance exams (there is no 11+ anymore). The competition for the Altrincham grammars is fierce - the vast majority of parents do coach / have tutors, send children to the numerous prep schools (or both!).

There is a grammar school in Sale which children in Altrincham / Hale tend to take (Hale / Altrincham still within catchment), so another option (mixed) and then there are all the independent schools. It depends which part of Altrincham / Hale you are in as to which secondary school you would be offered if your daughter didn't go to a grammar school / independent. Look at the websites for Altrincham College of Arts and Wellington for details of their catchments. AFAIK, Wellington's catchement is more the Timperley side of Hale.

FWIW, the primary schools in Trafford are all over-subscribed and there does seem to be a movement into Trafford primary schools in Years 3/4/5 just to get into the grammar school system so you may have to go on a waiting list. All the primary schools in Hale are good and are all quite sporty and there are lots of extra-cirriculum clubs locally.