Pls can some help and advise on current aggs catchment vs merit?

[meggie79]

Having checked the aggs website it said 8miles in a straight line is within catchment, can someone please help me confirm this.
It would really help me if someone explain how catchment vs merit works with aggs

Its quite straightforward for AGGS. Everyone who passes the test goes into a "pool". It doesn't matter whether you get full marks or scrape the pass mark, you are just deemed to have "passed".

Have a look at the over-subscription criteria. Generally speaking, once you're in the pool and live within the 8 mile catchment, you go to the top of the queue if you're "looked after" or have a sibling already at the school.

The rest of the places are on distance. Although the published catchment is 8 miles, they usually fill the places with girls living about 5 miles away from the school (last year's furthest offer, according to the information on the Trafford website) was 5.42 miles.

This is quite useful for measuring the distance as the crow flies

distance calculator

Hi Mandy, thanks for your reply. I don't know about over-subscription criteria and DD will be first to apply for AGGS. Looking at your reply we are about 6.45miles so chances are looking slim I guess. Wish there were equally better schools near the house.

Yes, I think you're probably too far out at 6.45 miles. Having said that, the format of the test changed this year (it was combined with the entrance test for Sale, so it was just one exam and it was a slightly different test) so that may impact how places are offered (i.e. whether they go out further).

Are you any closer to the other Trafford grammars - I know for instance that Urmston Grammar gives their first 20 places to the highest scoring children regardless of where they live - before they start using distance. Is that an option?

Hi, I am in Cheadle, just confused what other comparable options are?

I don't know Cheadle well at all, sorry!

Are you in catchment for Parrs Wood? DM's friend's DD did very well there a few years ago. Medicine at Cambridge no less.

About 4.5miles from passwood I guess, which schools you are referring to?

Sorry I meant parrswood, auto correct..

Parrs Wood High School. I think it's still there next to the cinema and bowling etc. It used to do very well with bright children but things can change I suppose. You'd need to find out. Which school do most children at your DD's primary go to?

Some of her friends are planning Manchester High as it has given better results than AGGS, Withington recently.

They're both fee paying I think. Some girls that didn't get in to Alti girls from DD's school went to Cheadle Hulme which is also fee paying and close to you.

If your DD is bright she'll do well at any of them.

Yes MHGS, Withington and Cheadle are all fee paying.

Just given DD and her friend (Y11) a lift to school. Yes they do know a few girls that come in from Stockport and Cheadle/ Cheadle Hulme. So it is possible.

Fingers cross!

Parrswood High and Priestnall and Cheadle Hulme High are all very good free state schools very close by. Cheadle Hulme School (private) or Stockport Grammar (private) are obvious choices from Cheadle.
The Cheadle are tends to be catchment for Kingsway High - which is fine from what I hear?

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