Secondary school in Altrincham

[ahluk]

Hello everyone,

I am moving to Manchester and am trying to find the perfect area to rent a property in. I’d really like to be able to walk safely and freely alone without worry.

Altrincham seems a nice area but also expensive. Getting to work or school looks very simple by public transport.

The schools are great as I have a girl at 12. I understand secondary schools are oversubscribed and in year admissions can be difficult. Am I right?

If no place for state school, will try the independent school. Does anyone know about Withington Girls School, Manchester? How competitive is admission?

Is Altrincham a good choice?

Thanks everyone :>

The schools are over subscribed and there is also a grammar school system. How old is your daughter? Would you intend for her to take the 11+?

If that’s not feasible, there is Altrincham College of Arts, Wellington Academy ( in Timperly) andBlessed Thomas Holford. You would be best to phone the schools to discuss and visit if possible. You should also call the council to see what the waiting lists are like. Re: Withington, best to call them too to discuss waiting lists and entrance requirements. Although if she goes to Withington, why would you pick Alty to live? You may prefer Didsbury. I would not move until you have a school place sorted. I know if parents who have done so and not been able to get a local state school place for months

To Gobbolinothewitchscat. Thanks so much for your advice.

I have no idea about Didsbury. Is it also a nice and safely place to live as Altrincham? Will get more information about Didsbury and will also contact Withington for admission details.

Thanks again :>

DD (21) & I are both happy to walk around Altrincham at night. It's a really nice place - my dad lives there. The tram is great. You get the "benefit" of living in Trafford.

I went to Withington but would never send my DDs there (luckily I live way too far away). I know it has a great reputation but I detest girls only schools and I had a torrid time there in the 1980s. Before people jump in and tell me my DDs can't be scientists from mixed schools, both are on science degrees, 1 at Cambridge, so that's a load of nonsense. If you want a state school, Altrincham Grammar is single sex. The secondary/comps are mixed. North Cestrian used to be private & boys only but now looks to be mixed and state. Loreto is a private Catholic girls' school.

Didsbury is probably a more mixed community as you do get some students there. The tram is not quite as handy but there are loads of buses into Manchester. Didsbury comes under Manchester City Council, so schools etc are different. It's a long time since I lived round there so I'm no expert on the schools.

Don't discount Heaton Moor. That's a really nice place with a good vibe. It comes under Stockport and the tram is meant to be coming out that way. There is already a train station, but it's a bit of a hike. Houses are nice there.

Didsbury is a lovely place to live and not dissimilar to Altrincham. If you've ever watched cold feet a lot of it is filmed in didsbury, all those lovely, leafy streets full of gorgeous old houses . It would be a lot handier for withington than Altrincham is.

I have lived in both places and prefer Altrincham for the transport connections (tram and train rather than bus) but both are brilliant places to live. Agree with PP that you should sort a school place before you move, definitely if moving to Altrincham.

Altrincham is in Trafford and has great schools which are oversubscribed. If going for 11+ schools they are mostly single sex (although sale grammar a couple of miles away is mixed). The comps are very good, Wellington is probably the best but you need to live less than a mile away to get into it (not sure re in year admissions). If you are catholic you also have the option of BTH which is another great school. Loreto college is the catholic grammar (so would need to pass an exam to enter) but is state school (not private as indicated above). North cestrian has struggled in recent years but has been taken over by the same academy trust as Altrincham Boys grammar and seems to be much better now. It's mixed and may be your best bet for an in year place. For private schools if you live in Altrincham I know quite a few go to cheadle. Manchester High is also an option for girls.

Not so sure on schools for didsbury as I had no kids when I lived there

To Malbecfan and ouchmyfeet, thanks so much for your sincere sharings.

As a new comer to Altrincham, I just feel a bit worry. I will try to contact the Council see if there is any in year state school place for my DD.

Once again, I am so grateful for all the sharings :>

Didsbury is great to live; village is busy but safe. Walking, cycling routes, trams, trains and buses. Loads to do. All the schools are very good. I's call Parrswood High which is a large very good all round school and Didsbury High which is smaller and new and see if they have places. Its likely that they may have the odd space in Yr7 now.
What other criteria do you have?
Where will you be working?

Didsbury also has the new Laurus Trust school, they have taken their first intake this year, not sure which year your daughter is in but it’s sister schools all have really good results

@Redissuereader It's Didsbury Highs third year this year. Not first.
It is in West Didsbury & has tiny catchment around 0.9miles as high density of housing / estates around it and it's not very big at 210 entry.

Some children go to Knutsford High from Altrincham - there is a bus.

Hi, if you can’t a state school place what mixed private secondary schools are close to Didsbury as obviously you can’t apply for a place at school until you have utilities/council tax etc in your name until you move or have I got that wrong? Thanks

Several within a 5 mile radius but downside is no local friends. Most high schools in the area have movement re waiting lists etc so I'd not be too concerned.