Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus Guide

If you're thinking about applying to Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGGS), this 2026 admissions guide covers everything you need to know. It explains how to apply, what the 11 Plus exam involves, and how to help your daughter prepare confidently.

At a Glance

Assessment: GL Assessment

Fees Type: Free

Boarding: Day school

Admissions: Girls Only

Places per year: 174

Competition: High

Ofsted Rating: Outstanding

Introduction to

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGGS) is a selective grammar school located in Trafford, Greater Manchester. Renowned for its outstanding academic results, it is among the top-performing girls’ grammar schools in the country. The school promotes ambition, independence and resilience, while also prioritising wellbeing, inclusion and respect.

AGGS delivers a rich and balanced curriculum, supported by expert teaching and a wide variety of extracurricular activities in sport, the arts, science and leadership. Students are encouraged to thrive both academically and personally within a caring and supportive environment.

As part of the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium, AGGS receives far more applications than available places each year, making the 11 Plus entrance exam highly competitive.

Key Information regarding Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Important information should you wish to visit or contact Altrincham Grammar School for Girls. There is also information regarding student intake numbers and student capacity.

School Address

Full Address:

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Cavendish Road, Bowdon
Altrincham
Cheshire
WA14 2NL

Contact Information

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Admissions and Administration Officer Mrs A Sullivan
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Telephone (Main Office) 0161 912 5912

Parking in the school

There is some parking at the school, there is also on-street parking nearby.

Additional parking off site

  • Car Park: Trafford Council, Cecil Road, 33 Cecil Road, Trafford, WA14 9NT, a 9 minute walk from the school.
  • Car Park: Trafford Council, Victoria Road, 1 Victoria Road, Trafford, WA14 9AF, an 11 minute walk from the school.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Ofsted Report

Outstanding

Based on the inspection date:

11 and 12 October 2022

View Report
The quality of education Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Personal development Outstanding
Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth-form provision Outstanding

Quick Summary

Overall rating: Outstanding in all areas, including education, leadership, behaviour and sixth-form provision.

Academic strength: Pupils achieve exceptional results across all subjects through a highly ambitious and well-structured curriculum.

Teaching and curriculum: Expert teachers use research-informed approaches to develop deep understanding and independent learning.

Behaviour and culture: Exemplary behaviour and strong school values foster a respectful, inclusive and supportive environment.

Leadership and safeguarding: Inspirational leadership and effective governance ensure excellence throughout the school; safeguarding is thorough and well-managed.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Exam Format

AGGS is part of the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium, which means applicants take a shared entrance exam that applies to multiple grammar schools in the area.

The Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Entry Exam: Overview

The exam assesses a range of academic skills through multiple-choice questions in three key areas. The test takes place in mid-September and consists of two timed papers sat on the same day. Each paper includes a series of short, varied sections. Scores are age-standardised and combined to produce an overall ranking.

Paper One

Verbal Reasoning: Tests vocabulary, comprehension and logical thinking skills.

Paper Two

Mathematics: Assesses numerical reasoning, problem-solving and arithmetic ability.

Paper Three

Non-Verbal Reasoning: Evaluates pattern recognition, spatial awareness and visual logic.

English Maths Verbal Reasoning Non-Verbal Reasoning Additional

Pass Mark

To be considered for a place, applicants must achieve the qualifying standard in the Entrance Exam. The pass mark is 334 for general applicants and 324 for those who are Looked After or eligible for Pupil Premium.

Catchment Area

The school’s catchment area covers an eight-mile radius from the main entrance, with distance measured in a straight line from the applicant’s permanent residence.

Additional Eligibility

To be considered for a place, applicants must meet the qualifying standard in the Entrance Exam. If more applicants qualify than there are places (PAN: 204), the following oversubscription criteria apply:

  1. Looked After or Previously Looked After Children, regardless of residence.

  2. Pupil Premium applicants living within the 8-mile catchment area.

  3. Applicants within the catchment area with a sister already attending the school.

  4. Other applicants within the catchment area, prioritised by distance from the school.

  5. Pupil Premium applicants living outside the catchment area, prioritised by distance.

  6. Applicants outside the catchment area with a sister at the school, prioritised by distance.

  7. Other out-of-catchment applicants, prioritised by distance.

In the event of a tie, places will be allocated by random selection under independent supervision.

Click here to view the full Altrincham Grammar School for Girls admissions policy.

Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

A consistent and structured approach to preparation can help your daughter feel confident and capable on exam day. Here are some ways to support him:

Useful Tips

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Start Early

Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.

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Use Exam Papers

Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.

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Target Weak Areas

Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.

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Encourage Daily Reading

A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.

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Make Use of Online Resources

Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.

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Best Chance of Success

Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.

COMING SOON

11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area

We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by Altrincham Grammar School for Girls. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls’ Key Dates and Application Information

Dates for Key events to do with Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus admission process.

Entrance Exam Registration Opens

April 2025
Date passed

Registration Deadline

June 2025
Date passed

Entrance Test Date

September 2025
Date passed

Results Released

October 2025
Date passed

Common Application Form Deadline

Thursday 31st October 2025
Date passed

Offer Day

Monday 2nd March 2026
100 days to go
How to Apply

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Application Process

To apply for a Year 7 place at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.

1

Admissions Policy 2026

Make sure you read the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.

View Admissions Policy
2

Entrance Test Entry Form

You must register your daughter for the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium entrance exam through the online portal, typically available between April and June 2025. Completing this registration is essential to secure a place for the September test, as late applications will not be accepted.

Visit School Website
3

Common Application Form (CAF)

This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Altrincham Grammar School for Girls listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed, failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls FAQs

Register for the Entrance Exam on the school website between May and June, then list AGGS as a preference on your Local Authority application form by 31 October.

The Entrance Exam tests verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and mathematics, using papers set and standardised by the school’s test provider.

Entry is highly competitive, with many more applicants than the 204 available places. Only those meeting the qualifying score and ranked by priority criteria are offered admission.

Yes. The catchment area extends eight miles from the school’s main entrance, and applicants living closer to the school are prioritised when places are oversubscribed.

Schools Nearby

9 schools found within 25 miles of Altrincham


Loreto Grammar School

Loreto Grammar School, Dunham Road, Altrincham
Assessment: GL Assessment, Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
0.4 Miles Away Medium Competition View School

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Cavendish Road, Bowdon, Altrincham
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
0.6 Miles Away High Competition View School

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys

Marlborough Road, Bowdon, Altrincham
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
0.7 Miles Away High Competition View School

St. Ambrose College

Saint Ambrose College, Hale Road, Hale Barns
Assessment: GL Assessment, Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
1.6 Miles Away Medium Competition View School

Sale Grammar School

Sale Grammar School, Marsland Road, Sale
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
2.6 Miles Away High Competition View School

Urmston Grammar School

Urmston Grammar School, Newton Rd, Urmston
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
4.4 Miles Away Medium Competition View School

Stretford Grammar School

Stretford Grammar School, Granby Road, Stretford
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
4.4 Miles Away Medium Competition View School

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, Rossendale
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
21.6 Miles Away View School

The Liverpool Blue Coat School

Church Road, Liverpool
Assessment: Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
23.4 Miles Away Medium Competition View School