Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School
Manchester, M24 2GL · Rochdale · secondary school
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4th of 13 secondary schools in Rochdale we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 4.6/10 against 888 of them, against 4.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 34% | 1.80 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 42.9 · 44 | 30% | 1.35 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.12 · 41 | 25% | 1.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.0 · 50 | 10% | 0.51 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2022. In 2024/25, 31.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.12 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than peers nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.2 out of 10 among them, against 2.9 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Genesis Club, STEM / Science Club, GSA Club, Music Tech Club, and KS3 Art Homework Club. Musical activities include the School Choir, Build a Band, School Show, and Year 7 Choir.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,186 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School
Overview
Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School continues to be a good school, described as a community where pupils feel happy and enjoy attending. Leaders maintain high expectations for learning and behaviour, which pupils and students consistently meet, resulting in strong achievement across a range of subjects. The school fosters a respectful, inclusive environment where pupils feel safe and valued.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, treating each other with "respect and kindness" and not tolerating discriminatory behaviour.
- The curriculum is "broad and suitably ambitious," with teachers proficiently checking for knowledge gaps to adapt teaching.
- Sixth-form students are fully involved in school life, supporting younger pupils and championing equalities.
- Leaders provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they achieve well.
- Staff feel respected, and leaders successfully hold governors to account for the quality of education.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of key stage 3 subjects, leaders must clarify the "essential skills that pupils must acquire" to ensure readiness for the next stage of education.
- Some staff do not use assessment information well enough to address pupils’ misconceptions quickly, which hinders progress; leaders must ensure timely intervention.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture across the school where staff are vigilant in spotting signs that pupils may need help and report concerns in a timely manner.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.2 |
| 2024/25 | 40.9 |
| 2025/26 | 46.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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