Irlam and Cadishead Academy
Manchester, M44 5ZR · Salford · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 15 secondary schools in Salford we can score, 16 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 7.2/10 against 551 of them, against 5.1/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 48.4 · 59 | 30% | 1.77 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.07 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.3 · 46 | 10% | 0.46 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Irlam and Cadishead Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, with the most recent inspection in April 2024. In 2024/25, 46.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.07 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 844 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 support is available for students who are falling behind in English and maths? How does the school ensure that the positive progress scores for similar-intake pupils are maintained across all year groups?
What Ofsted said about Irlam and Cadishead Academy
Overview
Irlam and Cadishead Academy is described as a "tight-knit school community" where pupils feel safe and benefit from "strong pastoral support." The report highlights a significant turnaround from previous underperformance, noting that pupils now achieve well due to an "ambitious curriculum" and improved behaviour.
Strengths
- Pupils display "positive" attitudes to learning and follow routines "diligently," with behaviour described as "much improved."
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with staff using subject expertise to explain learning clearly and consistently.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are accurately identified and receive skilfully adapted learning to help them achieve well.
- There is a "calm atmosphere" with a significant reduction in negative behaviour incidents and improved attendance for some groups.
- Pupils are well-prepared for future steps through "well-thought-out careers provision" and opportunities for wider personal development.
Areas to improve
- Teachers in some subjects do not systematically check pupil understanding, leading to unaddressed gaps in knowledge.
- Some pupils in Years 9 to 11 who struggle with reading do not receive appropriate support, hampering their ability to access the curriculum.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.5 |
| 2024/25 | 43.6 |
| 2025/26 | 45.3 |
| 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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