Schools in Manchester — Published Data Comparison
Compare 296 schools and nurseries in Manchester — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Data reviewed 3 August 2026. Lists use published DfE performance data and available Ofsted judgements; they are not paid placements.
Read how rankings are calculated →Classpot currently lists 296 schools and nurseries matching the Manchester area used on this page. The live breakdown is 108 Nursery, 141 Primary, 40 Secondary.
The tables keep nursery, primary, secondary and private schools separate because they do not share one comparable performance measure. Use them to build a shortlist, then check the result year, inspection date, admissions policy and official source on each school profile.
Manchester at a Glance
Highest-listed Nurseries in Manchester
| # | School | Area | Ofsted | Age Range | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiddlywinks Day Nursery Ltd | Manchester | Outstanding | 0–5 | — |
| 2 | Collyhurst Nursery School | Manchester | Outstanding | 0–5 | 102 |
| 3 | Martenscroft Nursery School & Children's Centre | Manchester | Outstanding | 0–4 | 138 |
| 4 | Happy Kids Heybury Close | Manchester | Outstanding | 0–5 | — |
| 5 | Winstanley Day Nursery | Manchester | Outstanding | 0–5 | — |
Ordered by the latest available Ofsted overall rating, then inspection recency. See the full methodology
Highest-listed Primary Schools in Manchester
| # | School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Didsbury CofE Primary School | Manchester | Good | 79% | — | — |
| 2 | Brookburn Community School | Manchester | Good | 87% | — | — |
| 3 | Abbott Community Primary School | Manchester | Outstanding | 75% | — | — |
| 4 | Rack House Primary School | Manchester | — | 79% | — | — |
| 5 | West Didsbury CE Primary School | Manchester | Good | 73% | — | — |
Ordered by Classpot academic ranking using DfE KS2 progress data, with RWM expected standard used where progress data is unavailable. See the full methodology
Highest-listed Secondary Schools in Manchester
| # | School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eden Boys' Leadership Academy, Manchester | Manchester | — | — | 82% | 87% |
| 2 | Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Manchester | Manchester | — | — | 78% | 93% |
| 3 | Levenshulme High School | Manchester | Outstanding | — | 68% | 80% |
| 4 | Burnage Academy for Boys | Manchester | Outstanding | — | 66% | 14% |
| 5 | Whalley Range 11-18 High School | Manchester | Good | — | 70% | 67% |
Ordered by Classpot academic ranking using DfE Progress 8 data. See the full methodology
Admissions in Manchester — Key Dates
Applications for state-funded schools are made through the local authority where the child lives. For September 2027 entry, apply by 31 October 2026 for secondary school and by 15 January 2027 for primary school. National offer days are 1 March 2027for secondary and 16 April 2027 for primary (or the next working day if needed). Opening dates, supplementary forms and local procedures vary, so confirm them with the relevant council and school.
Important: Historic applications and places describe an earlier cohort. They do not predict whether a particular child will receive an offer.
Check the official England admissions guidance →Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools and nurseries are listed in Manchester?
Classpot currently lists 296 schools and nurseries matching the Manchester area definition used on this page. The current breakdown is 108 Nursery, 141 Primary, 40 Secondary.
Which schools appear first in the Manchester tables?
Didsbury CofE Primary School is currently the highest-listed primary school and Eden Boys' Leadership Academy, Manchester is currently the highest-listed secondary school. Primary and secondary tables use different published academic measures and are not combined into one overall league table. A position is a data comparison, not a recommendation.
How the ranking works →How do I apply for a state school in Manchester?
Apply through the local authority where you live, even if the school is in another council area. For September 2027 entry, the national closing dates are 31 October 2026 for secondary applications and 15 January 2027 for primary applications. Check the relevant council and school admissions policies before applying.
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Understand the Data
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