Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
Woodhouse Lane, Benchill, Manchester, M22 9NW
0161 998 3422 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 February 2018.
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 | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 14 June 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
46 pupils in this year group.
48% — 10 points below the Manchester average, and 14 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Manchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 48% | 58% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 7% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 65% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 50% | 67% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 63% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 Manchester. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 40 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 40 |
| Of those, offered a place | 40 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 98 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Manchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 65th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 92% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 52.2% | 48.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 77th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 70% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.1% | 4.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 83rd highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 47% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.8% | 15.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 70th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 84% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 38.3% | 45.9%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 68th lowest of 130 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 34% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.6% | 5.6%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 50th lowest of 130 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 40% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 13.4% | 15.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 108th lowest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 21% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.9 | 2.2 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 118th lowest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 11% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 103rd highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 27% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 18.5 | 20.6 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 20th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 67% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.7 | 10.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 76th highest of 130 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 39% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 9.7% | 13.6%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- Haveley Hey Community School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Crossacres Primary Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Benchill Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Newall Green Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 42% met expected standard (KS2)
- Peel Hall Primary Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2023, before conversion) · 31% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Willows Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Peter's Catholic Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gatley Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 93% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Anthony's Catholic Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2025 · 49% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 February 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 14 June 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 48% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 14 points below the England average of 62%.
Is Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 40 families put Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 40 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 40 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 139467.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.