The school is a fully selective non-fee paying grammar school with admission via an entrance exam. Its previous status as a foundation school allowed for a degree of independence from the local education authority, until in 2011, under the government's education reforms, it attained Academy status.
History
The school was founded as Altrincham County High School for Boys in 1912 as a result of the Balfour Education Act, to provide secondary education for an area which stretched from Sale to Knutsford. It opened with 57 pupils and 3 staff, housed in the red brick building which still forms the central block of the school today. The south wing and the assembly hall were added in 1938 and the science block, gymnasium and workshops in 1964. In 1974, the school passed from the control of Cheshire County Council to the newly formed Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council. It remained under Trafford's control until 1996 when it became a grant-maintained school. In 1999, it evolved into a foundation school, when grant-maintained school status was abolished. In September 2003, the Department for Education and Skills awarded the school specialist school status as a Language College. Recent additions include new blocks for art and design, new ICT suites, the new Stamford Hall canteen, a food technology room, and The Grammar gym. In October 2013, a new physics centre was opened by the physicist Brian Cox, housing six laboratories, a staff room and a large preparation room. As of July 2020 the school is currently constructing a large extension set to contain several more classrooms, a new library and toilets. It is to be completed in September 2020 and will house 60 more pupils each year.
Notable former pupils
Paul Allott – former Lancashire and England cricketer and currently Director of Cricket at Lancashire
The Old Altrinchamians' Association is a former pupils' society with golf, football and cricket sections. The Association also holds an Annual Reunion Dinner and publishes an annual newsletter.
Feeder Schools
Most of the schools in the local area enter their boys into the 11+ exams. The school does have a catchment area where a boy living very close by can have a good chance.The priority catchment area is defined as the Postal addresses of WA13/WA14/WA15/M33 and M23 which lie within the Trafford Local Authority. However some students travel all the way from Warrington and Stockport and thus commute to and from school. Boys can also use the local Hale Railway Station or Altrincham Interchange, which are very close to the school.
