Moorside High School

About Moorside High School

Moorside High School is a mixed state secondary in Salford that is significantly oversubscribed, a clear signal of its local standing. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 302 applications for 156 places, with 179 of those coming as first preferences, resulting in an oversubscription ratio of 1.94. This demand is all the more notable given the school's current pupil count of 1,140 against a capacity of just 781, meaning it is operating well above its intended size. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 19.2%, which is above the national average for secondary schools and reflects the school's inclusive intake within Salford. The headteacher is Helen Ryles-Dean, and the school does not have a sixth form, a religious character, or boarding provision, catering solely to the 11-16 age range.

Academically, Moorside's most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2024 rated it Good across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This is a consistent outcome, as the school also held a Good rating in its previous inspection in 2017. In terms of exam performance, Moorside's Progress 8 score for 2023/24 is -0.2, which places it in the 'Average' banding and is just slightly above the Salford local authority average of -0.22. Nationally, this ranks the school in the 64th percentile, and within Salford it sits 7th out of 15 schools. The Attainment 8 score is 41.7, with 58.3% of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths, and 36.7% achieving a grade 5 or above. The EBacc entry rate is a relatively high 60.4%, though the EBacc average point score is 3.68.

The school offers a broad range of facilities, including a theatre, sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, science labs, and a library, alongside clubs such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Young Enterprise, debate, and coding. Sports on offer include rowing, swimming, hockey, and netball. For families with children who have special educational needs, Moorside provides for a wide spectrum of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Given its oversubscription, families should be prepared to apply early and ensure they meet the admissions criteria. This school will suit families looking for a large, well-subscribed secondary in Salford with a strong focus on behaviour and a broad extracurricular offer, particularly for those who value a school that serves a diverse intake and has maintained a Good Ofsted rating over time.

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