Welcome to Sale Grammar School. Our school, which is an 11-18 coeducational, selective school, has specialist status in the visual arts. In December 2006, the school was described by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding with an outstanding sixth form’. This is a judgement of which we are very proud. In June 2007, the DfES classed the school as a high performing specialist school (HPSS) and this has given us the opportunity to pursue a second specialism in 2008.

We are situated in part of the south Manchester commuter belt in an area which has good transport links including M56, M60/M62 motorways, the Metro system and Manchester Airport. Entry to our school is by the 11+ Test, which is administered by Trafford LEA. The majority of pupils are drawn from Sale, although the school does admit pupils from neighbouring authorities. The school comprises two sites, the main school and the Claremont building, about a mile apart. The Claremont site accommodates some of the sixth form teaching. The number on roll is currently 1210, including 320 in the sixth form. Sixth form students are attracted by the wide range of subjects the school can offer at AS and A2 levels and by our outstanding examination results.

We are noted for being a caring and well disciplined school, and our key aim is to ensure that all pupils and students realise their potential. Ofsted inspectors commented in 2006 that ‘care ,guidance and support are of the highest standard’. We are a happy school, with an energetic and talented staff committed to preserving those high standards. Everybody has a part to play in the school and the opinions and ideas of each individual are listened to and respected. Team work is highly valued, but so too are initiative and originality. Our school ethos is very much reflected in the fact that we have been re-awarded Investor in People status three times.

We seek continually to improve the visual aspects of the school environment. Many of our buildings are relatively new and we have undertaken significant investment in our buildings in recent years. In 2002 a purpose built teaching block for English was opened and a year later, a major extension to our Learning Resource Centre was completed. This extension is equipped with a wireless infrastructure, so pupils can have Internet access using Laptops which are available for study and research purposes in the Centre. In April 2004, a new arts building was opened, containing an art and design ICT facility and a 3D ceramics area.

The school has a strong reputation for the its excellent standards in art and design/technology. A number of high profile community projects have been completed or are in progress, some of which have attracted national interest. In particular, the school has collaborated with the local NHS Trust and the charity LIME to support the growing use of the arts as a therapy for hospital patients. We have a rapidly expanding community programme linked to our specialist status in the visual arts, which is designed to meet the needs of our pupils and those in partner primary schools. An expanding out of hours programme, designed to meet the needs of our pupils and those attending local primary schools, is gaining a growing reputation for high quality delivery. Activities include an over subscribed visual art summer school and Saturday classes for gifted and talented art and design pupils. We have been praised for the quality of our delivery, including INSET for teachers in Trafford.

You will understand that our school has so much to offer its pupils. High academic achievement is important, but so too is the development of each individual personally and socially. We believe that education at Sale Grammar is about looking forward, making the best use of opportunities and striving for success and Ofsted inspectors agree with us.