The top performing secondary schools in Sale and Greater Manchester
Seven of the ten best-performing secondary schools in Greater Manchester are in Trafford, according to new Department for Education GCSE performance tables – with Sale Grammar School ranking fourth.
The latest figures, released last week, show Trafford’s grammar schools once again dominate the regional rankings for 2025. The borough claims the top seven places, with three Altrincham schools sitting at the very top.
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls leads the way, with 99.5% of pupils achieving a grade 5 or higher in both English and Maths GCSEs. Second place went to Saint Ambrose College (98%), followed by Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (98%).
Sale Grammar School secured fourth place in Greater Manchester overall with 96.9%, further cementing its reputation as one of the region’s highest-performing schools.
They were followed by Stretford Grammar (95%), Urmston Grammar (94.7%) and Loreto Grammar (91.7%). The first non-Trafford school on the list, Cheadle Hulme High School in Stockport, came in eighth with 74.6%.
What this means for families in Sale
The news will come as reassurance to Sale parents and carers who already see Sale Grammar as a top local choice. With admissions for Year 7 places in September 2026 closing in just two weeks, the figures highlight the borough’s ongoing strength in education and the opportunities available on the doorstep.
For families living in Sale, the high ranking is not only a reflection of pupil achievement but also a reminder of the borough’s continued investment in academic excellence. With competition for grammar school places always fierce, parents considering options in and around Sale now have the latest performance evidence to guide their applications.
The Department for Education’s annual tables are closely watched by parents across the region. The rankings measure the proportion of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs, along with performance in the English Baccalaureate – a broader set of academic subjects.
However, this year’s tables are missing a key performance measure. The ‘Progress 8’ score, which shows how much value schools add between Year 7 and Year 11, is unavailable for the Class of 2025. This is because pupils did not take SATs in 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdowns. The same will be true for next year’s data.
Top 10 secondary schools in Greater Manchester
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford) – 99.5%
Saint Ambrose College (Trafford) – 98.0%
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (Trafford) – 98.0%
Sale Grammar School (Trafford) – 96.9%
Stretford Grammar School (Trafford) – 95.0%
Urmston Grammar Academy (Trafford) – 94.7%
Loreto Grammar School (Trafford) – 91.7%
Cheadle Hulme High School (Stockport) – 74.6%
The Blue Coat CofE School (Oldham) – 73.6%
Eden Boys' Leadership Academy (Manchester) – 67.2%
With Trafford schools continuing to dominate the table, the borough has once again strengthened its reputation as one of the top areas for secondary education in the country.
