Didsbury CofE Primary School
Manchester, M20 6RL · Manchester · primary school
Check the area around this school
12th of 123 primary schools in Manchester we can score, 137 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,755 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.8/10 among them, against 8.3/10 nationally. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 79.0 · 86 | 40% | 3.43 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Didsbury CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 79.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 13.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.8 out of 10 among them, against 8.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join chess, knitting, book, and running clubs, or play football, netball, tennis, dodgeball, and yoga. Arts and music options include recorder, choir, and piano. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 222 pupils against a stated capacity of 236. 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 who do not reach the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Didsbury CofE Primary School
Overview
The report states that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, "enjoy school" and "mostly achieve well," forming meaningful friendships and feeling safe. While the overall effectiveness is judged as Good, the early years provision requires improvement due to inconsistencies in curriculum planning and delivery.
Strengths
- Pupils "achieve highly as readers and mathematicians" and demonstrate strong phonics skills.
- Leaders have established "effective" safeguarding arrangements, ensuring staff spot risks and act to protect pupils.
- Staff maintain high expectations for behaviour, resulting in a settled environment where lessons are "rarely disrupted."
- Pupils with SEND are taught alongside classmates, ensuring they do not miss out on the curriculum's ambition.
- Leaders provide a broad curriculum with "beneficial set of experiences" that help pupils understand the wider world.
Areas to improve
- In a minority of subjects, particularly the early years, teachers’ delivery does not always match the curriculum content identified by leaders, risking "gaps in pupils’ knowledge."
- Leaders do not identify all essential knowledge for pupils, particularly in the early years, meaning some subject curriculums are not learned as well as they should.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with thorough systems ensuring leaders and staff spot pupils at risk and act to protect them.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 76% |
| 2023/24 | 86% |
| 2024/25 | 79% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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