Are you considering a grammar school in Manchester for your child's secondary education?
There are seven grammar schools in Greater Manchester to choose from. Most are in Trafford, and one school ranks within the top 10 state secondary schools in the UK.
Keep reading to learn about the best grammar schools in Manchester in 2026 and how to help your child prepare for the 11+.
What are grammar schools?
A grammar school is a secondary school in the UK that selects pupils based on their academic ability. Children applying for a place at a grammar school take an entrance exam in Year 6 known as the 11 plus (11+). The pupils with the highest scores are eligible for a place in Year 7.
You do not need to pay school fees if your child attends a grammar school. Grammar schools are funded by the state (government). They are the only state-funded secondary schools in England that can select pupils based on academic ability.
See where they stand in minutes. Atom’s free 11+ baseline tests give you an instant breakdown of their strengths and gaps. Know exactly what to focus on next and start preparing with direction, not uncertainty.
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGGS) is a girls' grammar school founded in 1902. It prides itself on outstanding exam results and students' sports and cultural successes.
Pastoral care is integral to education at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls. The school has a strong national reputation as one of the first National Teaching Schools. The Times named it 'State Secondary School of the Year in the Northwest for Academic Excellence 2025'.
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys was founded in 1912. There is a strong focus on diversity, equality and inclusion, and student leadership. Students have a track record of success in sports, the arts, engineering, science and debating. In 2013, physicist Brian Cox opened a new physics centre. There is a vibrant house system and over 100 clubs and societies on offer.
Sale Grammar School is a mixed grammar school founded in 1991. Ofsted rates the school 'outstanding' and praises students' academic achievement and behaviour. The school has a strong reputation for pastoral care, with students describing the school as a big family.
The school offers a broad extracurricular programme. Many students enter school and national competitions and have reached national sports finals.
Saint Ambrose College is a Catholic boys’ grammar school in Altrincham. It was founded in 1946 and has specialist status in maths and computing.
Sports excel at Saint Ambrose. The main team sports are rugby, cricket and athletics, but there are a variety of other sports clubs and activities on offer. Boys have access to state-of-the-art sports facilities, including a new sports hall, a full 4G pitch and a swimming pool.
Loreto Grammar School is a selective Catholic school for girls. It's part of a worldwide network of over 120 Loreto schools and has strong links with schools in India, Australia, Germany and Spain.
Loreto Grammar School is rooted in tradition but maintains a forward-thinking vision. Ofsted and the Diocese of Shrewsbury judge the school 'outstanding' in all categories.
Not sure if your child is on track for the grammar school 11+? You don’t need to guess what to cover or whether they’re ready. Atom shows you exactly what to practise each week and how they’re performing, so you can stay ahead of the process without the stress.
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