Harrytown Catholic High School

About Harrytown Catholic High School

Harrytown Catholic High School is a mixed 11-16 state secondary in Stockport, and its intake data paints a picture of a school that is both popular and serving a community with significant need. With 803 pupils on roll against a capacity of 825, the school is running close to full, and the 2025/26 admissions cycle shows it is heavily oversubscribed: 404 applications were received for 165 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.45. Of those, 144 families put it as their first preference, and 132 of those were offered a place. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 30.8%, which is notably higher than the national average for secondary schools, suggesting the school draws from an area with above-average deprivation. This demographic context is important to bear in mind when looking at the school’s academic outcomes and Ofsted rating.

Academically, Harrytown’s most recent data places it below the local average. Its Progress 8 score for 2023/24 is -0.32, which is significantly lower than the Stockport local authority average of 0.07, and the school ranks 12th out of 13 secondary schools in the borough. The Attainment 8 score is 41.9, and the proportion of pupils achieving a grade 5 or above in English and maths is 38.3%, compared with 56.4% at the standard 4+ threshold. Only 14.1% of pupils entered the EBacc, and just 6% achieved it at grade 5 or above. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in December 2024 judged it as Requires Improvement overall, with leadership and management, quality of education, and behaviour and attitudes all rated as Requires Improvement. However, personal development was rated Good, and the previous inspection had rated the school Good overall. The parent view survey, with 86 responses, shows a mixed picture: 73% would recommend the school, and 71% agree or strongly agree that their child does well, but only 34% agree that SEND children get the support they need.

Harrytown offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, chapel, astro turf, and music rooms, plus clubs like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, orchestra, and Young Enterprise. The school has a Roman Catholic character and is a non-selective state school, so admission is typically based on faith and catchment criteria. It does not have a sixth form, so pupils leave at 16. The school’s SEND provisions cover a wide spectrum, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support, though parent feedback suggests some dissatisfaction with how these are delivered. For families considering Harrytown, the key trade-off is between its strong local demand and the current challenges around behaviour and academic outcomes. It may suit families who value the Catholic ethos and wide extracurricular offer, but who are prepared to engage closely with the school on academic progress and SEND support.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Harrytown Catholic High School

Helpful Guides for Parents