Altrincham Grammar School For Boys

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Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (A.G.S.B.) is an all boys school situated in the town of Altrincham in Greater Manchester, England. Whilst the school is non-fee paying, it has foundation school status which allows it to have a degree of independence from the local education authority.

The school is a short walk away from Hale train station.

[edit] History

The school was originally called Altrincham County High School for Boys and was founded in 1912 as a direct result of the Balfour Education Act to provide secondary education (partly fee-paying) for an area which stretched from Sale to Knutsford and beyond.

It opened with only 57 pupils and 3 staff (a Headmaster, a Deputy and one other), housed in the distinctively decorated 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 present science block, gymnasium and workshops in 1964. A programme of school refurbishment and extension is presently in progress which will result in improved facilities in a number of areas of the school.

In 1974, the school passed from the control of Cheshire County Council to the newly formed Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council and remained so until 1st January, 1996, when it became Grant Maintained, and was granted a new Coat of Arms by the Royal College of Arms. In September 1999 the school became a Foundation school when Grant-maintained school status was abolished.

[edit] The School Today

The number of boys in the school has been rising steadily in recent years as the popularity of the school has increased, so that the school has had a five form entry for several years. Indeed, 2003 marked a further augmentation to six Year 7 forms. These forms include many pupils from outside the traditional catchment area of the school, although it is still committed to being 'Altrincham's Grammar School'.

In September 2003 the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) awarded the school specialist school status as a Language College.^[1]

Recent additions include new blocks for Art and Design Technology, new ICT suites, the Stamford Hall canteen and the new sixth form block.

Within the last 6 months, a new maths block has been built along with the completion of an Astroturf pitch used for Hockey (an increasingly popular sport), Lacrosse and Football. New tennis courts have also been built and plans are already undergoing for the new sports hall. This has all come from a £3.5million grant provided by the government in the mid stages of 2006.

6 more classrooms have being built at the south end of the school, which extended the Religious Education and Maths departments.

[edit] Parents and Friends Association

Since its founding in 1957, the Association has played a vital role in the life of the school, organising a wide range of social events and funding all aspects of school life. When a boy enters the school, his parents are invited to become members of the association.

Elections of the General Committee take place at the Annual General Meeting in September. There are approximately 24 parent members and 2 staff members on the committee with the Headmaster acting as President. The meetings are chaired by the elected chairman.

‘Altrincham Grammar School Developments’ was established in 1998 as a company with charitable status. It is charged with raising and holding money for the development of the school – mainly large capital projects.

[edit] Clubs and Societies

There are a few noted clubs & societies in the school:

• Amnesty International
• The Arts Society
• The Chess Club
• Film Club
• Christian Union
• The Islamic Society^[2]
• The Radio Club (AGRC)

The Young Enterprise project is also undertaken by students in the lower 6th form who wish to get a taster of life in the business world. It provides a valuable insight into the dynamic nature of the business, to master and develop simple business concepts to communication and leadership skills. In 2007, 'Phoenix Inc', run by 25 students formed the most successful YE company in the history of the school, having won the Trafford Local Area Final and the Manchester Strategic Board Final.

[edit] Staff and Head Boys

There are currently over 100 teachers at the school as well as many part-time and student teachers, secretaries, music teachers and Sodexho staff who run the school cafeteria. The current headteacher is Mr Gartside, with deputy headteacher Mr Hall. Head of Sixth Form is Mr Pearson, of Upper School Mr Wales and of Lower School Mrs Lambie.

[edit] Notable Staff Members

[edit] Notable Alumni

• Paul Allott - Former Lancashire and England cricketer
• Graham Brady M.P. - Member of Parliament for Altrincham and Sale West from 1997.
• Ian Brown - Solo artist and former lead singer of the indie rock band The Stone Roses.
• Ronald Gow - dramatist, who returned to the school to teach in the 1920s.
• Steve Jackson - Co-founder of Games Workshop and Lionhead.
• Ian Livingstone - Executive Chairman of Eidos Interactive. Co-founder of Games Workshop and publisher of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft.
• John Squire - Former guitarist of the indie rock band The Stone Roses.

[edit] Achievements

Stephen Williams broke a world record for Tiddlywinks at the school in 1966 which was reported for many years in the Guinness Book of Records ^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ Specialist Schools Home. DfES (July 2006). Retrieved on 2006-08-02.
2. ^ AGSB Islamic Society
3. ^ Tiddlywinks World Records. ETwA.

[edit] External links

• School Website
• AGSB Language College Website

Coordinates: 53.376925° N 2.351055° W