St Matthew's RC High School
98%
Capacity
1,324
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About St Matthew's RC High School
St Matthew's RC High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Manchester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,324 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (98% of 1,350 places).
Ofsted has rated St Matthew's RC High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Andrew Nightingale, it falls under Manchester local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.59 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 36.9. Additionally, ranked 2726th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 27th out of 31 in Manchester.
St Matthew's RC High School is a popular choice with families — it received 382 applications for 236 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 157 were first-preference applications.
St Matthew's RC High School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 87% recommending the school (46 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Matthew's RC High School include Sixth Form Centre, Swimming Pool, Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rugby, Hockey, Football, Martial Arts and 3 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Newspaper, Science Club, Choir and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 56.8%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Manchester, St Matthew's 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 | Nuthurst Road, Manchester, Manchester, M40 0EW |
| Headteacher | Andrew Nightingale |
| Local Authority | Manchester |
| Number of Pupils | 1,324 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 56.8% |
| School Capacity | 1,324 / 1,350 (98% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Oct 2024Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 5 Dec 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.59)
2726th of 3,141
Nationally
358th of 445
In North West
27th 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.
Ofsted Parent View
46 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed236
382
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
157 families put this school as their 1st choice (41% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Matthew's 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
Nuthurst Road, Manchester
Manchester, M40 0EW
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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