SchoolScoresThe Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
20 Blue Moon Way, Rusholme, Manchester, M14 7SH
0161 672 8660 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 22 May 2024.
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 |
| Early years | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
27 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Manchester comparisons use the 72 of its 132 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 60 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 72 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 72 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 17th highest of 72 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 73% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 89% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 20 parents who had raised a concern Joint 6th highest of 65 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 89% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 82% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 18th highest of 72 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester. Higher than 72% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96%said yes | 89% | 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
52 pupils in this year group.
38% — 20 points below the Manchester average, and 24 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Manchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 38% | 58% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 65% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 42% | 67% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 65% | 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. | 102 | 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 | 32 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 32 |
| Of those, offered a place | 32 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 75 |
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 74th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 89% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 48.8% | 48.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 113th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 45% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 4.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 36th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 77% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.8% | 15.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 34th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 94% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 60.7% | 45.9%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 45th lowest of 130 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 49% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.0% | 5.6%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 81st lowest of 130 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 24% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 16.8% | 15.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 60th lowest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 57% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7 | 2.2 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 68th lowest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Lower than 49% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 132 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 94% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 25.7 | 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 14th highest of 130 state primary schools in Manchester. Higher than 87% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 27.4% | 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
- Heald Place Primary School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Claremont Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 42% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wilbraham Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Webster Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Kentigern's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Name Roman Catholic Primary School Manchester 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Chrysostom's CofE Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 7 expected · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's CofE Junior and Infant School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Margaret's CofE Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
The Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 May 2024.
How did The Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 38% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 24 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend The Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School?
96% of the 27 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend The Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 32 families put The Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 32 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 32 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 135648.
- 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, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.