The short version
Average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2024).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 44.2 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2024
- This is a Roman Catholic school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
44.2
0.4 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
38%
3.8pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
32%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
90%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
83%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
4%
Employment
Directly into work
3%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
6%
Based on 210 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 13 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
18% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
3% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 9 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 7 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 160 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Roman Catholic
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,068
- Capacity
- 100%
- FSM
- 27.4%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Salford
- Head
- Mr Ben Davis (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection: Good
11 official reports linked on this page, including 10 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection: Requires Improvement
March 2022 | School Inspection
Monitoring visit
March 2021 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
November 2020 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
November 2018 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
December 2017 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
October 2016 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
March 2010 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Outstanding
November 2008 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Outstanding
November 2005 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
June 2000 | Full Inspection
Location
37 Ash Drive, Swinton, Manchester, M27 9QP
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmWardley CofE Primary School
Primary · 701m away
St Charles' RC Primary School
Primary · 979m away
Mossfield Primary School
Primary · 1.2km away
Co-op Academy Swinton
Secondary · 1.2km away
St Peter's CofE Primary School
Primary · 1.4km away
Chatsworth Futures Limited
Special school · 1.4km away
Moorside High School
Secondary · 1.5km away
Moorside Primary School
Primary · 1.5km away
Questions parents ask
Is St Ambrose Barlow RC High School a selective school?
No. St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is St Ambrose Barlow RC High School's Ofsted rating?
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in February 2024. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend St Ambrose Barlow RC High School?
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School currently has 1,068 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St Ambrose Barlow RC High School take?
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is St Ambrose Barlow RC High School?
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is in Manchester, M27 9QP, in the Salford local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does St Ambrose Barlow RC High School have a sixth form?
No, St Ambrose Barlow RC High School does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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