Sale Grammar and Alti Girls

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Jagsie
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:44 pm

Sale Grammar and Alti Girls

Post by Jagsie »

Hi,

Would love to hear any opinions on how you can possibly make a choice between Sale Grammar and Alti girls.

We live nearer to Sale but am struggling to find any other sound reasons on which to base the final decision.

Any open subjective feedback would be most welcome, we are very confused.

I think we are leaning towards Sale but have this nagging doubt...are we missing an opportunity?

Thanks.
Cupcake
Posts: 68
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 5:13 pm

Re: Sale Grammar and Alti Girls

Post by Cupcake »

Hi Jagsie,

I don't have personal experience of AGGS, only AGSB and Sale so hopefully you'll get comments from people who have.

The first obvious question is how do you and your daughter feel about co-ed vs a girls school? The accepted wisdom is that girls do better academically in a single sex school but boys do better in co-ed schools. It certainly creates a very different environment and you need to think about the pro's and cons of that for your DD.

In terms of atmosphere Sale is definitely less pressured than either of the Alty schools but expectations are still extremely high. I remember reading somewhere that Sale, which obviously has a wider ability band than the other 2, over performs with its cohort. There is a huge emphasis on encouragement and positive reinforcement. I have heard many stories of highly stressed girls at AGGS and the highly competitive atmosphere, only you know how your own DD would cope.

I can't comment accurately on sports/extra curricular things at AGGS but I do think Sale is a bit weaker in this area, but again you know which things are most important to you.

Visual Arts, this is one of Sale's particular strengths so if your DD's artistic that could be an important consideration. They also do drama/dance.

My DS started at Sale year 7 this year and absolutely loves the school and had done since day 1. His targets are high, he's extremely motivated. My older DS is at AGSB and is also really happy though he feels a bit of pressure sometimes. He does say from time to time that he wishes he was at a mixed school, I think it feels a bit unnatural to him and tbh I probably agree a bit.

In my honest opinion they are all really excellent schools and we are really spoilt in Trafford. Think about your DD's personality and then make a decision, whichever you choose she will get a brilliant education.

Hope you get some more contributions!
firswood67
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 11:23 am

Re: Sale Grammar and Alti Girls

Post by firswood67 »

Hello Jagsie

I think you are echoing the thoughts of quite a number of people ... and certainly me. In my head the choice is between AGSB and Sale although we actually live a couple of minutes from Stretford Grammer.

My son (and his friend) really liked Sale Grammer .... including talking to all the friendly teachers at the Open Day as well as on 11+ day. Indeed they sat in the car after and said that this would be their choice. I also think that if the Alty school are picking off the high achievers due to reputation then it is more to Sale Grammers credit that they are not that far behind when it comes to results. I also instinctively prefer co-ed .... especially as my son does not have any sisters.

In the other box the facts are that AGSB on the face of it seems to get good results year on year and my son does need a bit of a push to bring out the best in him. Most people we speak to seem to indicate that their choice would be AGSB and that we would be somewhat mad not to take the opportunity if offered. I think AGSB also offers more places for out of catchment too which probably means he has a better chance than for Sale Grammer.

Sorry .... I am sure that this has been of no help to you at all :roll:

Just feel safe in the knowledge that all are good schools.
Jagsie
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:44 pm

Re: Sale Grammar and Alti Girls

Post by Jagsie »

Thank you cupcake and firswood for your excellent replies, very helpful.

It seems that AGGS achieved higher academically, I'm not sure if that is down to initial cohort or how driven the school is. I think it's ok to push a child as long it's controlled and well balanced and not stressed.

I think cupcake you may suggest/hint that AGGS has a tougher entrance standard than SG, although the structure of the papers and the pass mark are the same, so I'm not sure. Why would AGGS have a stronger initial cohort?

The Arts side is very interesting as my daughter is very interested in Art, although again it's hard to see for sure what Sale offer over AGGS in these areas specifically i.e. what does Sale offer in the Arts more so than AGGS can offer, I know they say that they are a specialist academy in these areas but how does that translate to what they actually offer and do differently compared to schools that don't have academy status in Visual Arts.

Thanks again. Hope to get more feedback from others.....please. Thank you
jugglermum
Posts: 111
Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:45 pm

Re: Sale Grammar and Alti Girls

Post by jugglermum »

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Last edited by jugglermum on Wed Aug 06, 2014 4:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mr147
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 5:20 pm

Re: Sale Grammar and Alti Girls

Post by Mr147 »

This could help..............

My DD is now in Y8 at AGGS and is starting to really enjoy it.

Last year was a struggle adapting to a new School and new friends for her, and she often felt quite lonely (though this could be possible at any new School I guess). That said - she is really happy this year so far!

My DD is and always has been a bright girl and always at the top of the class academically. This year she has had a ;letter sent home saying that she was having tutoring in the School for Library lessons and they felt that she could improve her reading skills ( we were shocked as she had a reading age of 13.5 when she was 10 years old, and has always been an avid reader). This also happened with her being 'requested' to join Maths club which was ran once a week by Y12 students at lunch times once a week.

What I want to make clear is that at AGGS they obviously work them hard and settle for nothing else but A or A* performances - any deviation from a certain level will inevitably bring more pressure to improve.

If your DD is VERY academic and loves working then AGGS is a great School to support and push her hard all of the time. If she has tendencies to work hard, then lose focus or interest then I think that she will find it too challenging as they WILL undoubtedly put the pressure on. My DD was a very bright Y5 child and by her own admissions there are some 'very clever' girls in her class, even making her question her own abilities at times (we have assured her that her abilities are fantastic but the School is a high performing School).

As I mentioned earlier Y7 was hard but she is doing great this year from a social development point of view.

To finish - I think you should choose Sale if your DD wants to develop many areas of her life and education but AGGS if she is a highly driven academic.


Hope this helps - feel free to PM me with any questions if it helps.
jugglermum
Posts: 111
Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:45 pm

Re: Sale Grammar and Alti Girls

Post by jugglermum »

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Last edited by jugglermum on Wed Aug 06, 2014 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mr147
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 5:20 pm

Re: Sale Grammar and Alti Girls

Post by Mr147 »

jugglermum wrote:I think mr147 comments show that aggs are good at identifying anyone who looks like they may not make the required progress in the year and putting the help in place for the girls. My dd is in y 8 too she was never in top sets at her primary but did leave with level 5b maths and 5c English. Great but not in the realms of all the level 6s you hear on here!

Different parents and different girls giving different perspectives..........confusion :?

Wishing you the best of luck in making a decision!

Glad to hear your daughter is now settling in Mr147 :)

Many Thanks, and I think your post is spot on!
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