Audenshaw School is an 11–16 all-boys secondary school in Audenshaw, Greater Manchester, England. Originally, the school was known as Audenshaw Grammar School when established, and it opened to boys on 29 July 1932 with an enrolment of 300 boys. By January 2025, 1,136 boys attended the school.

History

Audenshaw Grammar School for Boys

On 29 July 1932, Audenshaw Grammar School for Boys was opened, providing facilities for 300 pupils. "The school officially opened on Saturday July 23rd at 3.00 pm when the contractors handed the keys to County Alderman J. T. Travis Clegg DL JP. The school remained open until 7:00 pm for inspection by the general public. On 13 September 1932, seventy-six boys walked through the gates of a brand new Grammar School on Hazel Street Audenshaw."

The first Head Master was John Lord, who was in charge until 1953. He was followed by Ronald Porter, who had joined the school from Stretford Grammar School. Kenneth Exley became Headmaster in 1961, having previously been Headmaster at the Creighton School for Boys in Carlisle. Audenshaw Grammar School lost its sixth form in the late 1970s due to ‘reorganisation’ within the LEA. However, an adjoining sixth form college was opened in 1997, the same year the school was granted foundation school status but this time it was co-educational rather than single-sex, gaining fairly mixed results. The school became a fully comprehensive school in the late 1970s.

In 1989, Audenshaw became one of the first Grant Maintained (GM) schools in England under the leadership of Locke and the then Chair of Governors T. Hall. The school had faced the threat of a merger and then closure. The LEA attempted to sell the school land but a High Court ruling overturned this action. The school opted out of LEA control in 1988; parents voted for the maintenance – 86% of those eligible voted; 91% of them voting in favour of the school receiving grant maintenance. This followed the Parents Action Group campaign. Since then the school has grown and has become one of the most popular schools in Tameside. Mr T Hall was awarded the MBE for services to Education and he remains the Chair of Governors.

In 1999, Audenshaw School won the inaugural – and only – schools' series of Channel 4's daytime quiz show Fifteen to One.

In 2007, the school celebrated its 75th anniversary with a visit by the Princess Royal who officially opened the Sixth Form extension.

Audenshaw School (Academy status)

Audenshaw School converted to academy status in September 2010. The sixth form was announced to close in 2018. It has now been changed into the school’s maths department.

Noted alumni

;Sporting

  • Eric Evans (1921–1991): captained England's rugby team
  • Zach Clough (b. 1995): Professional footballer currently playing for Adelaide United. Who has previously played for Bolton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Wigan Athletic among others.
  • Dean Schofield (b. 1979): plays professional rugby for Sale Sharks and England Saxons (England A)
  • James Tunnicliffe (b. 1989): Professional footballer currently playing for Stockport.
  • Gene Ormsby (b. 1992): Former professional rugby player

;Other

  • Robert Shakespeare (b 1982): Designer of Olympic weightlifting 50p.
  • Mark Hunter (b. 1957): MP for Cheadle since 2005
  • Mick Hucknall (b. 1960): lead singer of the band Simply Red

References

Notes

Bibliography

  • Audenshaw School Website