Loreto College

About Loreto College

Loreto College’s Progress 8 score of 0.71 is a standout figure when set against the Manchester local authority average of 0.18, placing the school well above the typical performance for secondary schools in the area. That gap is significant — it means students here, on average, achieve nearly three-quarters of a grade more per subject than pupils across similar schools nationally. The school ranks 6th out of 31 schools in Manchester on this measure, putting it in the top 20% locally, and 278th nationally out of over 3,100 schools. Its Progress 8 banding is officially rated as “well above average,” and the school sits comfortably in the top 10% of schools in the North West region. For a state-funded sixth-form college that only takes students from age 16, these headline figures suggest a strong academic push from the moment students arrive.

At KS5, the picture is more mixed. The school’s A-level value added score is -0.2, with a progress banding of “below average,” meaning students’ A-level outcomes are slightly lower than what their prior attainment would predict. The average points per entry is 33.67, equivalent to a C+ grade, and the best three A-levels average out at a C+ as well. Only 12.5% of entries achieved AAB or higher. That said, the KS4 results are notably strong: an Attainment 8 score of 59.4, an EBacc average point score of 5.59, and 85.5% of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths. The school also has a high EBacc entry rate of 81.1%, and 64.8% of pupils entered the EBacc achieved a grade 4 or above. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2024, the school was judged Outstanding for quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management, while sixth-form provision was rated Good.

Loreto College is a Roman Catholic sixth-form college in Manchester with a school capacity of 927 and an official sixth form. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26, receiving 417 applications for 146 places, with 107 first-preference offers made — an oversubscription ratio of 2.86. The school offers a wide range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, chapel, astro turf, tennis courts, and a sixth-form centre. Sports on offer include swimming, cricket, rugby, rowing, and martial arts, while clubs range from orchestra and debate to Young Enterprise and eco club. The school has a broad SEND offer, supporting students with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Parent View responses are overwhelmingly positive: 95% of the 140 respondents would recommend the school, with 91% strongly agreeing or agreeing that their child is happy, and 97% feeling their child is safe. This is a school that suits families looking for strong academic progress at GCSE level within a faith-based setting, though those prioritising top A-level outcomes may want to look more closely at the sixth-form value-added data.

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