Altrincham Grammar School for Boys is a boys' grammar school in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. Admissions The school is a fully selective non-fee paying grammar school with admission via an entrance exam. Its previous status as a foundation school allowed for a degree of independence from the local education authority, until in 2011, under the government's education reforms, it attained Academy status. History The school was founded as Altrincham County High School for Boys (ACHS) in 1912 as a result of the Balfour Education Act, to provide secondary education (partly fee-paying) for an area which stretched from Sale to Knutsford. It opened with 57 pupils and 3 staff (Headmaster, Deputy and one secretary), housed in the 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 science block, gymnasium and workshops in 1964. In 1974, the school passed from the control of Cheshire County Council to the newly formed Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council. It remained under Trafford's control until 1996 when it became a grant-maintained school. In 1999, it evolved into a foundation school, when grant-maintained school status was abolished. In September 2003, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) awarded the school specialist school status as a Language College. Recent additions include new blocks for art and design, new ICT suites, the new Stamford Hall canteen, a food technology room, and The Grammar gym. In October 2013, a new physics centre was opened by the physicist Brian Cox, housing six laboratories, a staff room and a large preparation room. As of January 2021, the school completed a new building with an additional 9 classrooms, a new library, extra toilets and a small staff room. It is aimed to allow the school to increase their pupil intake per year. Notable former pupils Paul Allott – former Lancashire and England cricketer and currently Director of Cricket at Lancashire Roger Ashton-Griffiths – film actor Alan Barnes – jazz musician Sir Graham Brady – Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West and Chairman of the 1922 Committee Ian Brown – solo artist and lead singer of the indie rock band The Stone Roses Ewan Clarkson - author Nick Cohen – journalist and author Ashley Taylor Dawson – Hollyoaks actor Mark Foster – record-producer and DJ Ronald Gow – dramatist, who returned to the school to teach in