Saint Ambrose College
Altrincham, Cheshire · WA15 0HE
Saint Ambrose College is a state-funded Catholic grammar school for boys in Altrincham serving a selective intake across Greater Manchester. Part of the Edmund Rice Schools Network and Laetare MAT, it combines rigorous academic standards with explicit Catholic formation and pastoral care. The school maintains strong diocesan ties and emphasises the Edmund Rice values of presence, service, and witnessing to faith.
- →State-funded grammar with no fees, removing financial barriers to selective education
- →Catholic ethos appealing to families seeking faith-centred education within the maintained sector
- →Selective intake and strong academic reputation in the North West
- →Established 80+ years with deep community roots in Altrincham and surrounding areas
Who thrives here
Academically capable boys from Catholic or interfaith families who value spiritual formation alongside intellectual rigour, and who benefit from an all-boys environment with clear pastoral structures and community engagement.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Hale Road, Hale Barns
Altrincham, Cheshire
WA15 0HE
Nearest stations
Frequently asked questions
How much does Saint Ambrose College cost?
Saint Ambrose College is a state grammar school, so there are no tuition fees — places are free and allocated by the 11-plus exam and the school’s admissions criteria.
How do you get into Saint Ambrose College?
Saint Ambrose College admits pupils at 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Saint Ambrose College's exam results?
At Saint Ambrose College, 39.7% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 73.4% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Saint Ambrose College a boarding school?
Saint Ambrose College is a day school in Altrincham and does not offer boarding.
What is Saint Ambrose College's latest inspection rating?
Ofsted rated Saint Ambrose College “Good” (2020).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Strong academic standards and selective intake ensuring peer group of able students
✓Explicit Catholic faith formation without being exclusionary; excellent pastoral care rooted in Edmund Rice values
✓All-boys environment fostering confidence and brotherhood in single-sex setting
✓Well-resourced state-funded grammar offering selective education at no cost
✓Strong community links, alumni engagement (80th anniversary celebrations), and sense of belonging
✓Diverse intake across south Manchester and Cheshire demonstrating inclusive selectivity
Common concerns
!Not yet inspected by Ofsted, so no external validation of current safeguarding, teaching quality, or standards beyond application statistics
!Religious character may not suit all families regardless of denominational background
!All-boys education may limit perspective and social development for some pupils
!Selective intake creates risk of narrow socioeconomic or ethnic representation despite stated diversity