Saint Paul's Catholic High School
106%
Capacity
952
Pupils
3.2x
Demand
About Saint Paul's Catholic High School
Saint Paul's Catholic High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Manchester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 952 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (106% of 900 places).
Ofsted has rated Saint Paul's Catholic High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Mike Whiteside, it falls under Manchester local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.89 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 32.0. Additionally, ranked 2975th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 31st out of 31 in Manchester.
Saint Paul's Catholic High School is a popular choice with families — it received 535 applications for 169 places, making it 3.2x oversubscribed. Of these, 295 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, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Saint Paul's Catholic High School include Theatre, Sixth Form Centre, Dining Hall, Swimming Pool, Astro Turf, Music Rooms, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Dance, Hockey, Badminton and 6 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Drama, Model UN, Coding and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 53.7%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Manchester, Saint Paul's Catholic 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 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Firbank Road, Manchester, Manchester, M23 2YS |
| Headteacher | Mike Whiteside |
| Local Authority | Manchester |
| Number of Pupils | 952 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 53.7% |
| School Capacity | 952 / 900 (106% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
14 Jun 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 21 Sept 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.89)
2975th of 3,141
Nationally
405th of 445
In North West
31st of 31
In Manchester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less 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
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed169
535
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
295 families put this school as their 1st choice (55% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Paul's Catholic 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
Firbank Road, Manchester
Manchester, M23 2YS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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