Schools boost for Trafford families

Data from national offer day shows that 3,223 families applied for next September and that 98.4% of on-time applicants were offered one of their preferred schools.

There has been an increase of pupil numbers in recent years, especially in the south of Trafford. This is down to population growth and the unprecedented surge of in-year applications between 2021 and 2023. The school admissions team at Trafford Council therefore offered tailored application advice to families from Sale and Altrincham.

This year, every family who followed the advice is being allocated a preferred school.

Primary in-year applications have significantly decreased year on year since the surge, with there being less pressure on school places in the coming years.

Cllr Karina Carter, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Babies, Children and Young People, said:

“Our borough schools are among the best in the country so it’s no surprise we have lots of parents clamouring for their children to go to them. This includes parents from outside the borough so we’ve done a lot of work to make sure Trafford parents get their preferred choice.

“Over the last few years, our admissions team has worked hard with Trafford schools to increase numbers – particularly in the south of Trafford – and it’s great to see this hard work pay off.”

The Council worked with schools to secure 76 extra places over the Published Admission Number (PAN) in Sale and Altrincham for 2026. The Council has also previously supported three bids through the Selective Schools Expansion Fund to increase capacity in Trafford grammar schools by 460 extra places. 

Every pupil from Trafford who passes the entrance exam continues to be able to achieve a place at their local grammar school.

Cllr Carter added:

“We have developed an effective strategy for securing places for Trafford families, particularly in high schools in Sale and Altrincham.

“Our teachers, leaders and school staff do an amazing job and it’s right that Trafford families benefit from our fantastic schools.”

All families received notice of their allocation by email on national offer day, Monday 2 March. The email also advises them of their right of appeal and their next steps to accepting the offer.