Ages 
Spectacular results at a school intent on helping able high achievers reach their starry goals.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,384 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 349 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council
Headteacher
Principal
Stephanie Gill
Since 2014, Stephanie Gill MA (natural sciences, Cambridge) PGCE (maths, Cambridge). Taught maths at a range of state and independent schools including four years as head of sixth form and director of studies at the Queen’s School, Chester and thr
Entrance
Seen locally as one of the hardest schools to get into, with around 1,600 applications for 210 year 7 places. Pupils sit the Trafford consortium 11-plus (papers from GL Assessment in maths, VR and NVR). Offers typically given to families living wi
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around 15 per cent leave after GCSEs, most to co-ed sixth form colleges or for different A level subjects, plus a few who don’t get the grades. After sixth form, almost 60 per cent to Russell Group universities. Manchester, UCL, Sheffield, Bristol
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 90 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 68 per cent A*/A at A level (89 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
School regularly tops local league tables with stellar GCSE and A level results. ‘There’s a bit of a local rumour mill about pressure,’ said one parent, ‘but that’s not been our experience at all.’ Other parents agreed, saying that the intense com
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Around four per cent of pupils with SEND - mostly dyslexia, autism, ADHD or SEMH, and school also has experience of meeting needs of pupils with sensory or physical impairments including wheelchair users. Similar number of pupils who don’t have a
Arts & extracurricular
Lots going on in art. So far this term, a workshop with a professional artist (part of a regular programme) and a sketching trip to Chatsworth. Trips to London and Florence up next. There’s an annual summer exhibition, an award for artist of the w
Sport
Dance is a big deal here - pupils proudly showed us the spacious purpose-built studio. It’s a popular PE option and a handful of pupils take it all the way to GCSE. Dance clubs for each year group, plus ones for specific styles (hip hop, cheer, ly
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1910, a girls’ grammar since 1945 and now part of the Bright Futures Educational Trust, the school is a mix of traditional and modern architecture, spread across three sites a few minutes apart in upmarket Bowdon. We started the day in
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Excellent pastoral care, say parents. ‘My daughter feels really comfortable and knows exactly who her go-to people are if she needs them,’ said one. Pupils added that the school is ‘very open and supportive’, and told us they are ‘encouraged to ta
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Mobile phones may not be used, seen or heard once students arrive on the school site, unless permission is explicitly given by a teacher (for example, for use for a specific classroom activity).
Pupils & parents
Despite the school’s size, pupils say it feels like a real community. And they’re a supportive bunch - one pupil telling us about the school dance clubs modestly omitted to mention she was part of the Silver Company and her friends were quick to c
The last word
Spectacular results at a school intent on helping able high achievers reach their starry goals.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
