St Chrysostom's CofE Primary School

About St Chrysostom's CofE Primary School

St Chrysostom's CofE Primary School sits comfortably above the Manchester local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes, with 64% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined against an LA average of 57%. That seven-point gap is a solid indicator that this school is delivering above the norm for its area. It ranks 32nd out of 122 primary schools in Manchester, placing it in the top 26% of the authority, and 46th percentile nationally — respectable for a large inner-city state primary. The school is oversubscribed by a ratio of 1.87, with 84 applications for 45 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, and all 45 first-preference offers were taken up. That level of demand suggests local families see it as a strong option, particularly given its Church of England foundation and its location in a city where only 15 of 137 primary schools currently hold an Outstanding rating.

Academically, the picture is mixed but broadly positive. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, maths was a clear strength: pupils achieved an average scaled score of 106, with 84% reaching the expected standard and 33% hitting the higher standard. Reading was slightly weaker, with an average score of 104, 72% at expected and 28% at higher. Writing saw 74% at expected but no pupils reached the higher standard, which is a notable gap. The school’s most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2016 rated it Good overall, with Good for leadership, management and early years provision. A subsequent ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed the school remains Good. That’s a downgrade from its previous Outstanding rating in 2011, but the school has held steady at Good across two inspections since, and the 2022 visit found no reason to change the grade.

The school is well equipped for a primary of its size, with an ICT suite, sports hall, art studios, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports provision is broad, including gymnastics, football, cricket, cross country, tennis, athletics and swimming, and there’s a decent range of clubs from coding and drama to choir and eco club. SEND support is comprehensive, covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health, speech and language needs, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. With 32.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively disadvantaged intake, yet still outperforms the LA average — a strong signal for families who want a genuinely inclusive, community-focused primary that delivers results. It’s not the highest-flying school in Manchester, but it’s a reliable, well-regarded option that local parents clearly trust.

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