Our Lady's RC High School
Manchester, M9 0RP · Manchester · secondary school
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9th of 31 secondary schools in Manchester we can score, 32 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 — 8.3/10 against 432 of them, against 6.2/10 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 | 86 | 35% | 3.03 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 44.6 · 49 | 30% | 1.47 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.33 · 74 | 25% | 1.86 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.6 · 68 | 10% | 0.68 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Our Lady's RC High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 45.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.33 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in November 2025 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Religious Life Clubs and work towards the D of E Award. The school organises trips to Paris, London, and Madrid, along with a Year 7 residential visit and an annual Sports Day.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,046 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 new Ofsted report-card framework influence current teaching priorities? What support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Our Lady's RC High School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders and staff maintain "high aspirations" for all pupils, resulting in a "calm and orderly environment" where students "flourish." Pupils are "happy and proud" to attend, benefiting from strong relationships, high attendance, and effective support for vulnerable groups.
Strengths
- Pupils "achieve very well across the curriculum," with disadvantaged pupils performing "particularly well" and outcomes consistently above the national average.
- Attendance is high and persistent absence is low, supported by "forensic" data analysis and swift responses to changing circumstances.
- Staff model "positive behaviour consistently," fostering a culture where pupils show "respect and self-discipline" and bullying is "rare."
- The curriculum prioritises "foundational skills and knowledge," with teachers using subject expertise to help pupils "make sense of difficult concepts."
- Leaders provide "highly effective pastoral support," ensuring vulnerable pupils receive tailored assistance and barriers to learning are removed.
Areas to improve
- Leaders and governors should "sustain the effectiveness of their work in all areas" and seek "continued improvement" to drive a "transformational impact" for all pupils, particularly those facing barriers.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.6 |
| 2024/25 | 49.1 |
| 2025/26 | 49.6 |
| 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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