Didsbury High School
87%
Capacity
1,181
Pupils
6.2x
Demand
About Didsbury High School
Didsbury High School is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Manchester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,181 pupils on roll and is well-filled (87% of 1,350 places).
the school is led by headteacher Katie Houghton, it falls under Manchester local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.67 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 57.3. Additionally, placing it in the top 10% nationally. Additionally, ranked 311th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 7th out of 31 in Manchester.
Didsbury High School is a popular choice with families — it received 1,275 applications for 206 places, making it 6.2x oversubscribed. Of these, 390 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Didsbury High School include Swimming Pool, ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Astro Turf, Playing Fields, Science Labs, Art Studios, Library, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Rugby, Cross Country, Hockey and 2 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Drama, Choir, DofE and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 40.0%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Manchester, Didsbury High School is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | 4 The Avenue, Manchester, Manchester, M20 2ET |
| Headteacher | Katie Houghton |
| Local Authority | Manchester |
| Number of Pupils | 1,181 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 40.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,181 / 1,350 (87% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
30 Jan 2024Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 10 Mar 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.67)
311th of 3,141
Nationally
31st of 445
In North West
7th of 31
In Manchester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed206
1,275
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
390 families put this school as their 1st choice (31% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Didsbury High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
4 The Avenue, Manchester
Manchester, M20 2ET
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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