SchoolScoresPhilips High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of OAK LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Higher Lane, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 7PH
0161 351 2200 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 14 June 2022. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Manchester (Bury) comparisons use the 3 of its 4 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other one has no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Manchester (Bury) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 2% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40% | 76% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 4% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 11% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 72% | 84% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 5% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40%said yes | 69% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Manchester (Bury) figures pool parents at the Manchester (Bury) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
172 pupils in this year group.
55% — 16 points above the Bury average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 55% | 39% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 50.3 | 43.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.7 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
166 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the Bury average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 2% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 39% | 41% | 13% |
| Further education college | 49% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Bury. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 180 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 165 |
| Of those, offered a place | 165 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 435 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 38.8% | 29.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 4.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4% | 15.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 8.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 24.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Lower than 50% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.7 | 32.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.6% | 9.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.23% | 0.36% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 82% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Manchester (Bury). Higher than 68% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8% | 16.6%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Heys School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 17% grade 5+ English and maths
- Parrenthorn High School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Star Radcliffe Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- Unsworth Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Manchester Mesivta School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ahavas Torah Boys Academy 2.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Inadequate (2025)
- Me'or High School 2.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- The Derby High School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Co-op Academy Swinton 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Philips High School's Ofsted rating?
Philips High School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 June 2022.
How did Philips High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 55% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 9 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Philips High School?
40% of the 10 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Philips High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Philips High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 165 families put Philips High School as their first choice for 180 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 165 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 151027.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.