The hardest schools to get into in Trafford
Secondary: 263 families put Stretford Grammar School first in 2026 and 119 of them (45%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus.
Reception: 56 families put Park Road Academy Primary School first in 2026 and 30 of them (54%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Trafford with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stretford Grammar School · Manchester · grammar (11-plus) | 263 | 119 (45%) | 170 |
| 2 | Urmston Grammar Academy · Manchester · grammar (11-plus) | 237 | 115 (49%) | 169 |
| 3 | Loreto Grammar School · Altrincham · grammar (11-plus) | 258 | 152 (59%) | 160 |
| 4 | Saint Ambrose College · Altrincham · grammar (11-plus) | 223 | 137 (61%) | 149 |
| 5 | Sale Grammar School · Sale · grammar (11-plus) | 265 | 167 (63%) | 197 |
| 6 | Altrincham Grammar School for Boys · Altrincham · grammar (11-plus) | 302 | 214 (71%) | 215 |
| 7 | Wellington School · Altrincham | 328 | 236 (72%) | 260 |
| 8 | Altrincham Grammar School for Girls · Altrincham · grammar (11-plus) | 281 | 205 (73%) | 209 |
| 9 | Sale High School · Sale | 227 | 178 (78%) | 212 |
| 10 | North Cestrian School · Altrincham | 112 | 89 (80%) | 175 |
| 11 | Stretford High School · Manchester | 176 | 151 (86%) | 196 |
| 12 | Ashton-on-Mersey School · Sale | 275 | 236 (86%) | 269 |
| 13 | Flixton Girls School · Manchester | 199 | 174 (87%) | 207 |
| 14 | Altrincham College · Altrincham | 120 | 110 (92%) | 190 |
| 15 | Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College · Altrincham · faith | 209 | 206 (99%) | 285 |
| 16 | St Antony's Roman Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy · Manchester · faith | 126 | 126 (100%) | 149 |
| 17 | Wellacre Technology Academy · Manchester | 124 | 124 (100%) | 155 |
| 18 | Broadoak School · Manchester | 80 | 80 (100%) | 110 |
| 19 | Lostock High School · Manchester | 36 | 36 (100%) | 77 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Trafford
What is the hardest school to get into in Trafford?
For secondary places, 263 families put Stretford Grammar School first in 2026 and 119 of them (45%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus. For Reception, 56 families put Park Road Academy Primary School first and 30 of them (54%) were offered a place.
How many families in Trafford get their first-choice school?
81.0% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 94.5% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Trafford published it in its admissions booklet.