SchoolScoresSt Francis RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of EMMAUS CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
Ellenbrook Close, Gorton, Manchester, M12 5LZ
0161 223 3457 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Inadequate at the inspection that started on 7 March 2023. 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.
Category of concern: Special measures.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Early years | Inadequate |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
31 pupils in this year group.
65% — 7 points above the Manchester average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Manchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 65% | 58% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 10% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 87% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 65% | 67% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 84% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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 | 26 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 25 |
| Of those, offered a place | 25 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 62 |
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 106th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 76% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 36.3% | 48.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 129th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.8% | 4.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 22nd highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 83% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.7% | 15.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 52nd highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 89% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 47.7% | 45.9%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 130 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 96% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.2% | 5.6%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 130 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 86% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.9% | 15.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 112th lowest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 14% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 5.4 | 2.2 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 104th lowest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 22% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.8% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 76th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 41% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.9 | 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 Joint 25th highest of 130 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 82% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 24.4% | 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
- All Saints Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Brigid's RC Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- Armitage CofE Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2024 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Varna Community Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 39% met expected standard (KS2)
- St James' CofE Primary School Gorton 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- CofE School of the Resurrection 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Higher Openshaw Community School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ashbury Meadow Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 32% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stanley Grove Primary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Francis RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Francis RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy was rated Inadequate by Ofsted at its inspection in 7 March 2023.
How did St Francis RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 65% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 3 points above the England average of 62%.
Is St Francis RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 25 families put St Francis RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 26 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 25 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 150650.
- 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.