Head: Dermot Rainey
An accessible boys' grammar school in Trafford with a Good Ofsted rating.
0
Year 7 Places
0.0:1
Applicants/Place
0
Pupils
Applications
415
Offers Made
150
Catchment, then Score
Catchment area students get priority. Within catchment, places by test score.
Catholic selective grammar school in Hale Barns, Altrincham. All in-year applications must be made through the Trafford Council Application Portal. Priority given to pupils within the Trafford local authority area.
Local Authorities
Postcode Areas
Sibling Priority
Pupil Premium
Process
Under the terms of the Education Act 1998, parents of children refused admission have the right to appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel. 'In Year' admission appeals will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.
Waiting List
Applicants who qualify academically but cannot be offered a place due to oversubscription will be placed on the in-year waiting list, which remains active for 12 months from the date of the assessment.
1. Register
1 May 2026
2. Take Test
Other Standalone
3. Results
19 Oct 2026
4. Offer Day
1 Mar 2027
This school uses its own 11+ entrance test, administered by GL Assessment, testing Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics, English. multiple choice. Catholic, state-funded independent grammar school with selective intake. No fees as it is state-funded. Part of The Gaudete Trust and the Laetare MAT. Boys aged 11-18 years old. Entrance Examination takes place on Friday 19th September 2025 for September 2026 entry. Maths and English papers are prepared in-house with no sample papers available. All in-year applications must be made through the Trafford Council Application Portal.
Registration Opens
Registration opens for the 11+ exam
1 May 2026
Open Morning
Our next Open Morning will take place on Saturday 27th June 2026 from 9:30 to 12:30
27 Jun 2026
9:30am
Registration Deadline
Final day to register for the 11+ exam
15 Jul 2026
Exam Date
11+ entrance exam
19 Sep 2026
9:00am
Results Released
11+ results released to parents
19 Oct 2026
CAF Deadline
Common Application Form deadline (all LAs)
31 Oct 2026
National Offer Day
National Offer Day — places confirmed
1 Mar 2027
76.1
Attainment 8
98%
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths
The school's 2025 results at a glance — GCSE (Key Stage 4) and A-Level (sixth form) shown separately. Each tile shows the latest figure and how it moved on the year before.
76.1
Attainment 8
Average achievement across 8 qualifications
98%
English + Maths 5+
Grade 5 or above in both
100%
English + Maths 4+
Grade 4 or above in both
77%
EBacc Entry
Entered the English Baccalaureate suite
7.08
EBacc APS
Average points across EBacc subjects
B+
Avg A-Level Grade
Average grade achieved across all A-Level entries
44.5
A-Level avg points
Average point score per entry (A* = 60, A = 50, B = 40)
39.7%
AAB+ at A-Level
Achieved AAB or better in their best three A-Levels — a key benchmark for Russell Group entry
The same numbers in context — against the England state-funded average, the typical grammar school, and grammars with a similar intake.
Bar shows this school. Ticks mark the England state-funded average (grey) and the typical grammar-school average (indigo).
Grammar median computed from up to 163 grammars.
Strong averages can hide gaps. These tiles split the same cohort by disadvantage and by sex — a small gap means the school delivers for everyone, not just the strongest intake.
| Metric | Disadv. | Non-dis. | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 | 74.5 | 76.2 | +1.7 |
| E+M grade 5+ | 85% | 99% | +15pp |
| EBacc entry | 69% | 78% | +9pp |
Disadvantaged = pupils eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years, looked-after, or adopted from care. A small or zero gap is the goal — it means the school helps every pupil reach the same outcomes.
Whether pupils choose to stay on after GCSEs, and which way the headline results have been moving over recent years.
99%
continued to sixth form
% of pupils who stayed on after GCSEs
High retention is a positive sign — pupils choose to stay and the sixth form supports them through. Low retention can indicate weaker post-16 provision or curriculum mismatch.
The end of the journey — what leavers do after sixth form, and how this school's university record compares.
74%
Continued in education
HE + FE + other
73%
Higher Education
+5pp vs grammar avg
Cohort destination breakdown
Zooming in from whole-school figures to individual subjects — where entries concentrate, and which departments stand out in either direction.
Bar = entries · chip = grade 4+ pass rate
Bar = entries · chip = A*–E pass rate
Strongest at
Mathematics
150 entries
100%
+1.9pp vs school
English Language
150 entries
100%
+1.9pp vs school
Biology
95 entries
100%
+1.9pp vs school
Watch list
Latin
22 entries
86%
-11.7pp vs school
French
51 entries
92%
-5.9pp vs school
Strongest at
Maths
70 entries
100%
+0.2pp vs school
Chemistry
50 entries
100%
+0.2pp vs school
Economics
46 entries
100%
+0.2pp vs school
Watch list
Physics
30 entries
97%
-3.1pp vs school
Entry Requirements
For 3 A-levels: minimum Attainment 8 Score of 60pts AND at least Grade 5 GCSE in Mathematics and English Language AND minimum Grade 6 in subject to be studied at A-level (Grade 7 for Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry or Physics). For 4 A-levels: minimum Attainment 8 Score of 75pts AND at least Grade 6 GCSE in Mathematics and English Language.
Subjects Offered
Largest group: White British (50.1%)
Pupils of White British heritage
Black Caribbean, Black African and other Black heritage
Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and other Asian heritage
More than one heritage — e.g. White & Asian, White & Black Caribbean
A single heritage outside the groups above — e.g. Arab, White non-British
England avg ≈ 24%
≈ 18 pts below the England average — proportion of pupils whose family qualifies for free school meals (a measure of catchment affluence).
England avg ≈ 18%
≈ 9 pts below the England average — proportion of pupils whose first language is not English.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form
Good
Scale: Inadequate → Requires Improvement → Good → Outstanding
Per-pupil funding
2025/26≈ £335 (-5%) below the English average
Share of total spend going on staff
Typical English secondary: 75–80% on staff.
Spend per pupil per year
Most English state secondaries spend 75–80% of their budget on staff. Higher figures usually mean smaller class sizes; lower figures mean more spent on premises, supplies, or capital projects.
£3,087
Teaching Staff / pupil
£663
Educational Supplies / pupil
£363
Premises / pupil
Revenue reserve / pupil
£0
The school holds a surplus per pupil — money set aside that can absorb unexpected costs or fund future projects without affecting day-to-day teaching.
Total grant: £5,411,975 · 809 pupils funded
How the 2025/26 allocation broke down. Each stream is a signal about the school's intake — bigger deprivation / EAL / SEN top-ups indicate a school serving a more challenging cohort.
Basic entitlement
£4,593,698
The school's core allocation — pupil numbers × the basic per-pupil rate — before any top-ups.
Pupil Premium
£67,725
Targeted funding for 63 disadvantaged pupils.
Deprivation top-up
£263,440
Aggregates FSM, FSM6 and IDACI deprivation bands.
EAL top-up
£19,140
English-as-additional-language premium — paid for pupils whose first language isn't English.
Prior attainment top-up
£23,918
Funding for pupils arriving below age-related expectations.
Notional SEN
£171,405
Earmarked SEN budget inside the schools block.
Lump sum
£145,100
Fixed per-school grant — size-independent.
Schools budget support grant
£49,807
Government pay-and-pension support grant.
National Insurance grant
£64,258
Compensation for the increase in employer NI contributions.
1,091 / 1,050(104%)
Subjects Offered
Entry Requirements
For 3 A-levels: minimum Attainment 8 Score of 60pts AND at least Grade 5 GCSE in Mathematics and English Language AND minimum Grade 6 in subject to be studied at A-level (Grade 7 for Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry or Physics). For 4 A-levels: minimum Attainment 8 Score of 75pts AND at least Grade 6 GCSE in Mathematics and English Language.
1:18.3
Staff:Pupil Ratio
100%
Qualified Teachers
3.31%
Absence Rate
3.97%
Persistent Absence
Saint Ambrose College features secure covered bike racks and various classroom facilities for subject presentations during open events.
Sports
{"playing_fields":2,"gym":true,"courts":3}
STEM
{"science labs":6,"IT suites":4,"technology workshops":2}
Arts
{"drama theatre":true,"music rooms":2,"art studios":1}
Library
Well-stocked library with fiction and non-fiction books, periodicals, computers for research, quiet study areas, and online resources access.
Capital Projects
Recent refurbishment of science laboratories completed in 2022. New sixth form centre opened in 2021. Ongoing improvements to ICT infrastructure.
Saint Ambrose College offers a wide range of enrichment opportunities through the Sixth Form and encourages independent learning and research skills development.
Sports
Football, Rugby, Netball, Hockey
Music & Performing Arts
orchestras, choirs, drama productions
Clubs & Societies
Debating Society, Robotics Club, Chess Club
Duke of Edinburgh
Offered
Trips & Exchanges
school trips, foreign exchanges, residentials
Community Service
Students participate in various charitable activities including fundraising for local and national charities, volunteering at local primary schools as reading mentors, and participating in community events. The school has a strong tradition of supporting charities such as CAFOD, local food banks, and organizing annual charity weeks.
Uniform
Saint Ambrose College has a formal uniform policy. Boys wear a navy blue blazer, white shirt, and grey trousers. Girls wear a navy blue skirt or trousers with a white blouse. Suppliers: Trutex, Kings Schools.
School Meals
Saint Ambrose College offers a hot meal service, with a choice of main courses and desserts. Meals are cooked on site by our catering team.
Homework Policy
Essential for students to become lifelong learners and integral element of curriculum. Key Stage 3: approximately 90 minutes per night. Key Stage 4: one hour per week in RE, English, Maths and Science, 45 minutes for other subjects. Key Stage 5: for every one hour of teaching time, students should aim to study for an extra hour outside of lessons. Uses online planner called Class Charts.
Behaviour Policy
Positive behaviour policy based on mutual respect, high expectations and clear boundaries. House point system rewards good behaviour. Sanctions include detentions, exclusions for serious misconduct.
Mobile Phone Policy
Mobile phones are allowed in school but must be switched off during lessons
SEND Provision
The school has a dedicated SEND team and offers support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This includes individual learning plans, small group interventions, exam access arrangements, and pastoral support. The school works closely with external agencies and parents to ensure appropriate provision.
Saint Ambrose College location. See the catchment description for its priority area.
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Nearest Station: Manchester Victoria
Transport Info
Many students use public transport. School bus services operated by Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM). Various bus routes make the College accessible for students living in other areas. Train services to Altrincham and Hale within walking or bus distance. Metrolink network provides access from Greater Manchester. Students encouraged to walk or cycle when possible with secure, covered bike rack available.
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