William Hulme's Grammar School

Academy · All-through, ages 3 to 18 · Mixed · Christian · Nursery class · Sixth form

Part of UNITED LEARNING TRUST

Spring Bridge Road, Manchester, M16 8PR

0161 226 2054 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 14 May 2019; improved significantly 2025
Grade 5 or above in English and maths57%England 45% · 2024/25
6th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Higher than 77% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,542Room for 1,300 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,408 in 2019, 1,518 in 2021, 1,586 in 2022, 1,595 in 2023, 1,611 in 2024, 1,590 in 2025, 1,542 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.9313 for 167 places, September 2026
1st highest of 29 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Higher than 97% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 14 May 2019.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Leadership and managementGood
Early yearsGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 18 June 2025: Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

45 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 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.

StatementThis schoolManchesterEngland
My child is happy at this school
4th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester.
Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89% 80% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
11th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester.
Higher than 43% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
84% 81% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 7th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester.
Higher than 59% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
82% 76% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 13 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 6th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester.
Higher than 84% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
62% 53% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 36 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 5th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester.
Higher than 79% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
81% 68% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 11 parents of children with SEND
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester.
Higher than 52% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
64% 48% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
3rd highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester.
Higher than 77% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89%said yes 76% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 3%). 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.

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Results

Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25

60 pupils in this year group.

72% — 14 points above the Manchester average, and 10 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolManchesterEngland
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths 72% 58% 62%
Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths 8% 5% 8%
Met the expected standard in reading 92% 72% 75%
Met the expected standard in writing 73% 67% 72%
Met the expected standard in maths 85% 72% 74%
Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 108 105 106
Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 107 104 105
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, over time
50% 60% 70% 80% England 2022/23: 60%England 2023/24: 61%England 2024/25: 62% This school 2022/23: 65%This school 2023/24: 63%This school 2024/25: 72% This school England 62% 2022/23 65% 2023/24 63% 2024/25 72%

Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

182 pupils in this year group.

57% — 15 points above the Manchester average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolManchesterEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 57% 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. 51.9 44.8 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.8 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 56%This school 2023/24: 52%This school 2024/25: 57% This school England 45% 2022/23 56% 2023/24 52% 2024/25 57%

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.

180 pupils in this year group.

93% — 4 points above the Manchester average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 41%17%31%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolManchesterEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 93% 89% 92%
School sixth form 41% 15% 34%
Sixth form college 17% 30% 13%
Further education college 31% 39% 37%
Apprenticeship 2% 1% 3%
Work 1% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
90%93%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

113 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolManchesterEngland
Average A level grade C B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 16% 18% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 37% 39% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 30.4 36.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 28.5This school 2023/24: 30.6This school 2024/25: 30.4 This school England 35 2022/23 28.5 2023/24 30.6 2024/25 30.4

A level subjects, 2024/25

22 subjects, 335 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 43 2% 9% 19%
Chemistry 41 7% 15% 30%
Mathematics 41 17% 27% 40%
Biology 37 3% 16% 27%
Physics 26 12% 19% 31%
Law 19 0% 5% 17%
Sociology 18 0% 22% 20%
Religious Studies 17 0% 18% 22%
Business Studies:Single 15 0% 20% 16%
Computer Studies / Computing 13 8% 31% 24%
Economics 13 0% 0% 26%
English Literature 12 0% 0% 23%
English Language 7 0% 0% 13%
Government and Politics 7 0% 0% 26%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Geography, Mathematics (Further), Design and Technology (Product Design), Film Studies, History, Art and Design, Arabic, Art and Design (Photography).

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

101 students in this year group.

81% — 6 points above the Manchester average, and 2 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolManchesterEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 81% 75% 79%
Apprenticeship 2% 4% 7%
Work 17% 20% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
85%81%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

98 students in this year group.

87% — 13 points above the Manchester average, and 27 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolManchesterEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 87% 74% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 28% 23% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
92%87%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 (Year 7)?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 2 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered167
Families who put it first313
Of those, offered a place141 (45%)
Families who listed it at all979

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.9 · 2025: 1.8 · 2026: 1.9

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.

How hard is it to get in (Reception)?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered60
Families who put it first74
Of those, offered a place60 (81%)
Families who listed it at all174

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.2

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 Christian 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.

Admissions dates and schools in Manchester

Pupils, staff and SEND

Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 12 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Visual impairment; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Moderate learning difficulties; Severe learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.

PupilsThis schoolManchesterEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
24th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
40.9% 49.6%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
Joint 13th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.3% 4.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
19th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.0% 15.2%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
8th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Higher than 96% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
61.4% 44.1%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
7th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Lower than 82% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
6.4% 8.0%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
7th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Lower than 80% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
16.7% 21.4%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
4th lowest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Lower than 83% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
4.9 26.7 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
4th lowest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
3.3% 9.6% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils 0.13% 0.25% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
4th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.2 15.4 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
15th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Higher than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.6 10.4 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
10th highest of 30 state secondary schools in Manchester.
Higher than 80% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
19.8% 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is William Hulme's Grammar School's Ofsted rating?

William Hulme's Grammar School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 May 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 18 June 2025, Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.

How did William Hulme's Grammar School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 57% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend William Hulme's Grammar School?

89% of the 45 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend William Hulme's Grammar School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is William Hulme's Grammar School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 313 families put William Hulme's Grammar School as their first choice for 167 places: about 2 first-choice applications for every place. 141 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.