St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
93%
Capacity
1,066
Pupils
1.4x
Demand
About St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Bury community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,066 pupils on roll and is well-filled (93% of 1,150 places).
Ofsted has rated St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Emma Keenan, it falls under Bury local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.21 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 51.1. Additionally, ranked 1059th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 4th out of 14 in Bury.
St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 271 applications for 189 places, making it 1.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 156 were first-preference applications.
St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 78% recommending the school (88 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy include Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, Science Labs, Dining Hall, Playing Fields, Sixth Form Centre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Gymnastics, Athletics, Rowing and 5 more, as well as clubs including Film Club, Choir, Newspaper, Gardening and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 21.9%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bury, St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy 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 | Bury Old Road, Manchester, Bury, M25 1JH |
| Headteacher | Emma Keenan |
| Local Authority | Bury |
| Number of Pupils | 1,066 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 21.9% |
| School Capacity | 1,066 / 1,150 (93% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Jan 2025Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 6 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.21)
1059th of 3,141
Nationally
108th of 445
In North West
4th of 14
In Bury
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more 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
88 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
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
2025/26Oversubscribed189
271
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
156 families put this school as their 1st choice (58% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
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
Bury Old Road, Manchester
Bury, M25 1JH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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