SchoolScoresThe Barlow RC High School
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Parrs Wood Road, East Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6BX
0161 445 8053 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 June 2019.
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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 12 June 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
91 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Manchester comparisons use the 14 of its 30 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 16 have 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 | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 86% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 80% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 81% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 1st highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 89% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 35 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 95% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 53% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 71 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 96% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 68% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 85% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 76% | 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 figures pool parents at the Manchester 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
178 pupils in this year group.
53% — 12 points above the Manchester average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Manchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 53% | 41% | 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. | 49.8 | 44.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.4 | 4.0 | 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.
179 pupils in this year group.
87% — 2 points below the Manchester average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Manchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 15% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 56% | 30% | 13% |
| Further education college | 27% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 87% |
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 Manchester. 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 | 169 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 155 |
| Of those, offered a place | 142 (92%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 584 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.7 · 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.
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 20 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Manchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 23rd highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester. Higher than 79% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 41.6% | 49.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 4.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 27th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester. Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.8% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 27th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester. Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 44.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 15th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Manchester. Lower than 61% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.8% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 18th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Manchester. Lower than 59% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.7% | 21.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 11th lowest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester. Lower than 63% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.2 | 26.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester. Lower than 52% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.5% | 9.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.33% | 0.25% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 14th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester. Higher than 24% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.5 | 15.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 17th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester. Higher than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3 | 10.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 21st highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester. Higher than 34% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 15.1%* | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Parrs Wood High School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Priestnall School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2019, before conversion) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Burnage Academy for Boys 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Didsbury High School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 61% grade 5+ English and maths
- Withington Girls' School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 75% A*/A at A level
- Covenant Christian School 1.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Levenshulme High School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2016), confirmed 2022 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stockport Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Kingsway School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Anne's RC Voluntary Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Barlow RC High School's Ofsted rating?
The Barlow RC High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 June 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 12 June 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Barlow RC High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 53% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Barlow RC High School?
92% of the 91 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend The Barlow RC High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Barlow RC High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 155 families put The Barlow RC High School as their first choice for 169 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 142 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 105581.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- 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.