The Best Grammar Schools in Manchester

Nov 18, 2022

Choosing your child’s education is one of the most important decisions that you will make as a parent. With nine grammar schools to choose from in the Manchester area, it can be difficult to know where to start.

You might be wondering what exactly makes a school a grammar school; this isn’t too complicated. A grammar school is state secondary school that has a large focus on academic achievement. Students are selected after taking an examination at the age of 11 (children in Year 6); this entrance exam has become known as the “11-plus”. The 11-plus exam can consist of verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English.

Now that you have a better idea at what makes a grammar school, what about the aspects that make a grammar school reputable?

Many aspects can make a grammar school reputable, including the grades obtained by previous pupils at the school and the Ofsted rating; this rating grades schools as:

1 - Outstanding

2 - Good

3 - Requires Improvement

4 - Inadequate

Inspectors judge each school on the quality of education, behaviour and attributes, personal development of school pupils, and leadership and management.

Of all the examination grades obtained while at school, A Levels are deemed one of the most important. This is due to the A Level examination giving students UCAS points required to study for an undergraduate degree. In Manchester state-funded schools and colleges, the average result of the A Level examination is C+ while the average grade was B in Trafford state-funded school.

In this article, we have listed nine of the best grammar schools in Manchester by A Level grades and explain some of the benefits of each school.

1. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Address: Cavendish Road, Bowdon, Altrincham, WA14 2NL

Ofsted Rating: 1-Outstanding ⁽¹⁾

Number of students sitting A Levels: 168

Average A Level Grade: A- ⁽²⁾ % of 167 students achieving AAB or higher, including at least two facilitating subjects: 49.7%

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls ⁽³⁾ is part of the Bright Futures Educational Trust. This is a selective, all-girls grammar school with students aged between 11 and 18.

There are many facilities at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls that students can take advantage of, including a library, art studios, and a music school. Students also have the option to partake in extra-curriculars, such as choir, netball, textiles, and more.

2. Altrincham Grammar School for Boys

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys

Address: Marlborough Rd, Bowdon, Hale, Altrincham WA14 2RS

Ofsted Rating: 1-Outstanding ⁽⁴⁾

Number of students sitting A Levels: 158

Average A Level Grade: A- ⁽⁵⁾ % of 156 students achieving AAB or higher, including at least two facilitating subjects: 52.6%

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys ⁽⁶⁾ is a selective boys’ grammar school located in the town of Altrincham, to the south of Manchester. The school was founded in 1906 and has a long and proud history. It is part of the Hamblin Education Trust.

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys is one of the top-performing schools in the country with a variety of clubs on offer, too. Some of the extra-curricular groups available to students are gardening, Dungeons and Dragons, engineering, and creative writing.

3. The Manchester Grammar School

The Manchester Grammar School

Address: Old Hall Ln, Manchester, M13 0XT

Ofsted Rating: N/A*

Number of students sitting A Levels: 152

Average A Level Grade: A- ⁽⁷⁾ % of 38 students achieving AAB or higher, including at least two facilitating subjects: 78.9%

Located in the city centre of Manchester, the Manchester Grammar School ⁽⁸⁾ is a highly reputable and sought-after grammar school. The school was founded in 1515 and has a long and proud history.

This grammar school is also highly regarded for its extra-curricular activities and students have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities and clubs. The school has a strong belief on developing students as an individual, not just in the classroom.

*In May 2019, the school received the highest possible grade for an Education Quality and Focused Compliance Inspection, which was carried out by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). ⁽⁹⁾

4. Loreto Grammar School

Loreto Grammar School

Address: Dunham Rd, Cheshire, Altrincham, WA14 4AH

Ofsted Rating: 1-Outstanding ⁽¹⁰⁾

Number of students sitting A Levels: 125

Average A Level Grade: B+ ⁽¹¹⁾ % of 121 students achieving AAB or higher, including at least two facilitating subjects: 33.9%

Loreto Grammar School ⁽¹²⁾ is located in the suburb of Sale, just to the south of Manchester. The school was founded in 1887 and is a Catholic grammar school for girls.

The school focused on academic achievement, which is even more important for the sixth form students of Loreto. Senior students have the opportunity to form a committee which allows them to have a say in the running of the school, become mentors for younger students, run the school magazine, and more.

5. Sale Grammar School

Sale Grammar School

Address: Marsland Rd, Sale, M33 3NH

Ofsted Rating: 1-Outstanding ⁽¹³⁾

Number of students sitting A Levels: 180

Average A Level Grade: B ⁽¹⁴⁾ % of 178 students achieving AAB or higher, including at least two facilitating subjects: 27.0%

Situated in Sale, Greater Manchester, Sale Grammar School ⁽¹⁵⁾ is a mixed grammar school for pupils aged 11 to 18. The school aims to provide students with an excellent education that will see them equipped to lead successful lives after graduation.

Students at Sale Grammar School are encouraged to develop a range of skills, including creative, sporting, and performance, by joining activities outside of the classroom.

6. Saint Ambrose College

Saint Ambrose College

Address: Hale Rd, Hale Barns, Altrincham, WA15 0HE

Ofsted Rating: 2-Good ⁽¹⁶⁾

Number of students sitting A Levels: 101

Average A Level Grade: B- ⁽¹⁷⁾ % of 97 students achieving AAB or higher, including at least two facilitating subjects: 29.4%

Saint Ambrose College ⁽¹⁸⁾ is a Catholic voluntary aided grammar school for boys aged 11-18. The college is located in Hale Barns, Trafford, and it was founded in 1956.

There are many extra-curricular activities available at Saint Ambrose College, such as football, rugby, cricket, and more. There is also a swimming pool, with many clubs using these facilities. The college also offers a Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

7. Urmston Grammar Academy

Urmston Grammar Academy

Address: Newton Rd, Urmston, Manchester, M41 5UG

Ofsted Rating: 2-Good ⁽¹⁹⁾

Number of students sitting A Levels: 150

Average A Level Grade: B- ⁽²⁰⁾ % 148 of students achieving AAB or higher, including at least two facilitating subjects: 20.9%

Situated in the town of Urmston, to the south of Manchester, Urmston Grammar Academy ⁽²¹⁾ is a selective girls’ grammar school. The school values are pride, participation, and empathy.

The school has a range of modern facilities, including a library, art studios, and a music school. There is also a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer as well as trips and visits; in the past, Urmston Grammar Academy students have visited Iceland, the Normandy Battlefields, and Snowdonia.

8. William Hulme’s Grammar School

William Hulme's Grammar School

Address: Spring Bridge Rd, Manchester, M16 8PR

Ofsted Rating: 2-Good ⁽²²⁾

Number of students sitting A Levels: 64

Average A Level Grade: C+ ⁽²³⁾ % 63 of students achieving AAB or higher, including at least two facilitating subjects: 9.5%

William Hulme’s Grammar School ⁽²⁴⁾ provides learning for children from three years of age right up to the age of 18. It was once an independent, fee-paying school but has been a government-funded academy since 2007.

Sixth form students can select from a plethora of subjects, including film studies, law, photography, religious studies, and many more.

9. Stretford Grammar School

Stretford Grammar School

Address: Granby Rd, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8JB

Ofsted Rating: 2-Good ⁽²⁵⁾

Number of students sitting A Levels: 60

Average A Level Grade: C+ ⁽²⁶⁾ % of 59 students achieving AAB or higher, including at least two facilitating subjects: 18.6%

Stretford Grammar School ⁽²⁷⁾ is a mixed selective school for students aged 11-18. The school is located in Stretford, Trafford, and it was founded in 1902.

The school works with students to gain a positive academic achievement and students have the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects. There are also many extra-curricular activities available at Stretford Grammar School, such as drama club, music club, and sports teams.

And that is the nine best grammar schools in Manchester.

Now that you know the best grammar schools in the Manchester area by A Level result, you should be able to make an informed decision regarding your child’s education.