Best Secondary Schools in Manchester

Withington Girls' School is a prestigious all-girls school in Manchester. With a rich history dating back to 1980, the school offers a high-quality education for girls aged 7-18. Led by Headteacher Mrs Sarah Haslam, it boasts excellent exam results, including a strong average EBacc score at KS4 and a high percentage of students achieving AAB or higher at A-level. With scholarships and support available, parents can trust that their daughters will receive a well-rounded education in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Chetham's School of Music is a prestigious boarding school in Manchester, known for its outstanding education and focus on music. With a history dating back to 1953, the school offers a comprehensive middle deemed secondary education for students aged 8-19. Led by Miss Nicola Smith, the dedicated staff provide excellent support, including music scholarships for talented individuals. With a high percentage of students achieving AAB or higher in A-level exams, Chetham's School of Music ensures academic success alongside musical development. The school also caters to students with special educational needs, with 11.1% receiving SEN support. Discover a nurturing environment where your child can thrive academically and musically.

Abbey College Manchester is a highly regarded secondary boarding school located in the heart of Manchester. With a dedicated headteacher and a history dating back to 1995, the school provides a co-ed learning environment for students aged 14-23. Offering academic scholarships and sibling discounts, the school is committed to supporting student success. With a focus on individualized support, Abbey College Manchester has a 13.4% SEN student population and strives for excellence in exam results, achieving an average of 31.88 points in A-levels in 2019.

Dixons Brooklands Academy is a co-educational secondary school located in Wythenshawe, Manchester. With a dedicated and experienced headteacher, Mr Kevin Green, the school has been providing quality education since its establishment in 2022. With a student population of 993, it offers a safe and inclusive learning environment for students aged 11-19. The school is committed to supporting the needs of all students, including those eligible for free school meals, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive academically and personally.

Didsbury High School is a co-educational secondary school located in Manchester. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school ensures personalized attention and support for each student. Established in 2019, Didsbury High School offers a comprehensive education for students aged 11-18. The school has a strong commitment to inclusion, with 26.40% of students having English as a second language. Additionally, 202% of students are eligible for free school meals, reflecting the school's dedication to providing opportunities for all. Led by Headteacher Miss Katie Houghton, Didsbury High School offers a nurturing and supportive environment for students to thrive academically and personally. With a dedicated teaching staff of 30.7 full-time teachers and 8 full-time assistant teachers, the school ensures high-quality education and individualized support. Didsbury High School also has a sixth form, providing additional opportunities for post-16 education and preparing students for future success.

Piper Hill High School is an outstanding secondary school located in Manchester. With its stable and impressive leadership, relentless and ambitious teachers, and exceptional progress made by pupils, it is a top choice for parents looking for a high-quality education. The school prioritizes student well-being, with effective safeguarding measures in place. While the proportion of persistently absent pupils is higher than desired, Piper Hill High School excels in preparing students for the next stage of learning. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1 and a focus on individual support, students receive the attention they need to succeed. Additionally, the school values diversity, with 32.4% of students having English as a second language and 5.1% receiving SEN support. Overall, Piper Hill High School offers an exceptional educational experience for students aged 11-19.

Grange School is an all-through school located in Gorton, Manchester. With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, the school provides individual attention and support to each student. The school offers a comprehensive education for students aged 4 to 19, with a focus on providing excellent academic and personal development opportunities. Grange School has a diverse student body, with a gender ratio of 198 boys to 37 girls. The school also offers a sixth form program, allowing students to continue their education post-16. With a strong commitment to inclusive education, Grange School supports students with special educational needs, ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources for their success. The school is proud of its positive school culture, dedicated teaching staff, and its focus on preparing students for a bright future.

Co-op Academy Belle Vue is a co-educational secondary school located in Manchester. With a focus on inclusivity and high-quality education, the school has a dedicated team for special educational needs (SEN) support. The school caters to students aged 11-16 years and offers a nurturing environment for academic and personal growth. Over 40% of students are eligible for free school meals, ensuring a diverse and inclusive community. Led by Mr Scott Fletcher, the headteacher, Co-op Academy Belle Vue prioritizes student success and provides a range of opportunities for their holistic development.

Manchester Hospital School is a co-educational all-through school located on the 3rd floor of Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. With a commitment to providing the best education, the school offers a curriculum that effectively meets the needs of students aged 3-18. The school's strong leadership ensures good overall effectiveness, while pupils enjoy a range of activities promoting their development. With opportunities for study programmes and a supportive SEN support system, Manchester Hospital School prioritizes the success and well-being of its students.

Music Stuff is a secondary school located in Manchester, North West. With a total of 51 students, the school offers a co-ed education for students aged 11-16. The school has a good overall effectiveness and is led by Mr Daniel McCann. The staff provides sensitive support to students and the school has a clear vision for developing their potential and self-belief. The headteacher's commitment to improvements in teaching and learning has resulted in pupils making good progress and acquiring useful qualifications. However, attendance remains a challenge and some students may struggle with reading skills and vocabulary.

Sol Christian Academy is a co-educational school located in Manchester. Founded in 2013, the school offers an all-through education for students aged 2-18. With a total of 43 students, the small class sizes allow for individual attention and high academic expectations. The school has received a good rating in its Ofsted report, with particular strengths in teaching and learning, personal development, and pupil outcomes. The dedicated staff at Sol Christian Academy ensure a safe and nurturing environment for students, with stringent safeguarding procedures in place. Although there are some areas for improvement, such as performance management and outdoor learning facilities, the school provides a solid foundation for students' success and attainment. With a focus on fostering exceptional progress and exemplary behavior, Sol Christian Academy prepares students for a bright future.

At King of Kings School, located in Manchester, we believe in high aspirations and expectations for all our pupils. With a focus on promoting spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, our dedicated staff fosters positive relationships with students. Our good Ofsted report highlights effective teaching, learning, and assessment, as well as personal development and welfare. Although limited opportunities currently exist for Year 6 pupils to practice extended writing skills at a greater depth, our overall effectiveness and exam results demonstrate that we are meeting independent school standards.

Harpurhey Alternative Provision School is a co-ed secondary school located in Manchester. With a small student body of 13 students, the school provides specialized support for students with special educational needs, catering to 91.5% of its students. However, the school has been rated inadequate in several areas by Ofsted, including overall effectiveness and quality of education. It does not meet the independent school standards. It is important for parents to consider these factors when choosing a school for their child.

Manchester Jewish School for Special Education is a co-ed all-through school that provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for students aged 4-25 with moderate learning difficulty (MLD). The dedicated staff, led by Mrs Chana Brown, have high aspirations for the students and promote their personal development exceptionally well. The school's curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of each student, ensuring they thrive academically and socially. With outstanding behavior and welfare, the school fosters strong relationships and promotes spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Although most students have an education, health, and care plan, the school is committed to improving staff's knowledge and understanding of complex needs. While it's too soon to measure students' achievements towards nationally recognized accreditations, the school's overall effectiveness has improved significantly since its previous inspection and offers a good quality of teaching, learning, and assessment.

IncludEd is a secondary school located in Whalley Range, Manchester. With a focus on Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), our school provides a safe and inclusive environment where students can thrive. Our dedicated staff ensures a high quality of education, promoting excellent behaviour and attitudes. With outstanding personal development opportunities, IncludEd prepares students for a successful future.