Manor Croft Academy

About Manor Croft Academy

Manor Croft Academy’s headline Progress 8 score of 0.25 places it comfortably above the Kirklees local authority average of 0.07, meaning pupils here make stronger academic progress than their peers across the borough. This is not a school that merely coasts; it ranks 8th out of 24 secondary schools in Kirklees, putting it in the top third locally, and 953rd nationally out of over 3,100 schools. The school’s Progress 8 banding is officially classed as “Above average,” and the breakdown shows particular strength in English, where the Progress 8 score reaches 0.57. Maths, by contrast, sits slightly below zero at -0.06, suggesting that while the school drives strong literacy outcomes, numeracy progress is more in line with the national average. For parents weighing up options, this is a school that clearly outperforms its local peers on overall pupil progress, even if some subject areas are stronger than others.

In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, Manor Croft Academy retained its Good rating across the board, with leadership and management judged Outstanding. The previous inspection in 2017 also rated the school Good overall, so the school has maintained a consistent standard over time. On Attainment 8, pupils achieved an average score of 47.8, and 69.2% of students secured a grade 4 or above in both English and maths, well above the national baseline. The EBacc average point score sits at 4.19, with 40.4% of pupils entering the EBacc suite of qualifications. However, only 26.3% achieved a grade 4 or above across the full EBacc, and 20.7% at grade 5 or above, which suggests that while entry rates are decent, the depth of achievement in that specific combination is more modest. The school has no sixth form, so all pupils leave at 16.

Manor Croft Academy is a large secondary school with 1,037 pupils on roll, operating very close to its capacity of 1,050. It is oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, there were 405 applications for 204 places, with 231 first-preference applications and 193 first-preference offers. That gives an oversubscription ratio of nearly 2:1, so securing a place is competitive. The school serves a relatively disadvantaged intake, with 37.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. Its SEND provisions are broad, covering nine categories including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language & Communication needs, and Social, Emotional & Mental Health support. Facilities include science labs, art studios, music rooms, a gymnasium, astro turf, tennis courts, and playing fields. Clubs range from DofE and Model UN to coding and chess, and sports on offer include rowing, rugby, and dance. This is a strong, well-led school for families who value academic progress and a wide range of enrichment, particularly those whose children may need additional SEND support.

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