St Ambrose Barlow RC High School
102%
Capacity
1,068
Pupils
2.0x
Demand
About St Ambrose Barlow RC High School
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Salford community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,068 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (102% of 1,050 places).
Ofsted has rated St Ambrose Barlow RC High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Ben Davis, it falls under Salford local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.23 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 45.8. Additionally, ranked 2076th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 8th out of 15 in Salford.
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is a popular choice with families — it received 422 applications for 208 places, making it 2.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 194 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 11 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 8 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Ambrose Barlow RC High School include Gymnasium, Music Rooms, ICT Suite, Playing Fields, Sixth Form Centre, Astro Turf, Dining Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Tennis, Cross Country, Rowing and 2 more, as well as clubs including Eco Club, Drama, Film Club, Choir and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 27.4%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Salford, St Ambrose Barlow RC 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 | 37 Ash Drive, Swinton, Manchester, Salford, M27 9QP |
| Headteacher | Ben Davis |
| Local Authority | Salford |
| Number of Pupils | 1,068 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 27.4% |
| School Capacity | 1,068 / 1,050 (102% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
28 Feb 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 30 Apr 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.23)
2076th of 3,141
Nationally
250th of 445
In North West
8th of 15
In Salford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make 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
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed208
422
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
194 families put this school as their 1st choice (46% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Ambrose Barlow RC 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
37 Ash Drive, Swinton, Manchester
Salford, M27 9QP
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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