Brand territory 01 · Informed reassurance
Know more
before you choose.
The independent guide to schools in Trafford.
Official information, independent editorial guidance and practical tools to help families understand their options and make confident school decisions.
Some things can be measured.
Some things need to be understood.
Hero headline typography
Same words. Same layout. Only the type changes.
A · Restrained serif
Know more before you choose.
Editorial, but reduced in scale and drama.
B · Clean sans · recommended
Know more before you choose.
More confident and useful; lets the B1 masthead carry the editorial character.
C · Editorial accent
Know more before you choose.
A middle ground, but risks feeling more deliberately branded.
Logo refinement · no italics
Simpler is probably stronger.
All three keep Trafford Schools on one line. No icon, no italics, no decorative device — only typography, weight and restrained colour.
L1 · Weight contrast · recommended
The most natural. Brand distinction comes only from weight.
L2 · Colour contrast
Still simple, with bottle green doing the separating.
L3 · Upright serif / sans
Retains an editorial note without the italic flourish.
Previous masthead exploration
Working identity: restrained, editorial and recognisably useful — not a school brand and not an EdTech brand.
Colour system
Warm Ivory
#F7F3EA
Ink
#17211F
Bottle Green
#315B52
Muted Ochre
#C49A58
Soft Stone
#E8E3D9
Type principle
Editorial when explaining.
Precise when informing.
A characterful editorial serif for propositions, guidance and storytelling. A neutral, highly legible sans for navigation, comparison, admissions and data.
UI expression
Secondary · Altrincham
Example Trafford School
WA14 · Ages 11–18
Independent guidance
What should parents know?
We separate official facts from our editorial explanation, so it is always clear where information comes from and what it means.
Admissions snapshot
Can I realistically get a place?
Homepage concept
Independent guidance for Trafford parents
Know more before you choose.
Official school information, admissions evidence and independent guidance — brought together to help you understand your options.
Or browse all Trafford schools
Real Trafford school photography
A recognisable school entrance or neighbourhood scene — natural, observational, not stock
This week
Secondary applications: what Trafford parents need to know now
Department for EducationIndependent guidance
Written for Trafford parentsAdmissions context
Rules translated into plain EnglishKept current
Reviewed every school term
Start with your situation
Where are you in your school journey?
Starting primary
Reception admissions, catchments and what to look for.
Explore
Moving to secondary
Compare schools, understand admissions and plan ahead.
Explore
Considering grammar
Tests, eligibility and realistic admissions evidence.
Explore
Schools near you
Explore Trafford schools
Start with place, school stage or the things that matter to your family.
Altrincham & Bowdon
Primary · Secondary · Grammar
Schools, admissions context and local guidance →
Sale & Ashton
Primary · Secondary · SEN
Schools, admissions context and local guidance →
Stretford & Urmston
Primary · Secondary · Grammar
Schools, admissions context and local guidance →
Useful now
What Trafford parents need to know
Key dates
Secondary school applications: the dates to put in your diary
Read guide →
Admissions
How catchment areas actually work in Trafford
Read guide →
Grammar schools
The Trafford Grammar entrance test, explained
Read guide →
Admissions, explained
The rules matter. Understanding them matters more.
Clear guidance on catchments, oversubscription, grammar testing, appeals and the key dates Trafford parents need to know.
Visit Admissions →
Independent analysis
Go beyond the headline numbers.
Results, Ofsted and admissions evidence are useful. Trafford Schools adds context so parents can understand what the information can — and cannot — tell them.
Explore performance →
Why trust Trafford Schools?
Independent information for an important decision.
We use official sources, explain our methodology and keep commercial partnerships separate from editorial judgement.
Brand behaviour
Independent. Helpful. Human. Clear.
Not institutional. Not judgemental. Not sentimental. Not advertorial. The brand explains rather than ranks.
Commercial constitution
Money can buy visibility.
It can never buy editorial judgement.
Partnerships and sponsored placements must always be visibly separate from independent assessment, comparison and editorial guidance.