The short version
Average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2019).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 44.2 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2019
- 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%
3.9pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
21%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
C
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
-0.44
Band 4Source: 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
91%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
85%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
4%
Employment
Directly into work
2%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
7%
Based on 249 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 16 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
20% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
4% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 17 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 12 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 128 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Roman Catholic
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,561
- Capacity
- 99%
- FSM
- 19.5%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Wigan
- Head
- Denise Brahms (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
12 official reports linked on this page, including 11 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Full inspection: Good
April 2019 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
February 2018 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
November 2016 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
June 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
March 2015 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
March 2014 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Curriculum and development visit
March 2010 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Outstanding
February 2009 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
September 2007 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Good
June 2006 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
May 2000 | Full Inspection
Location
Manchester Road, Tyldesley, Manchester, M29 7EE
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmSt Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School
Primary · 378m away
St Stephen's CofE Primary School
Primary · 878m away
Tyldesley Primary School
Primary · 1.6km away
Bedford High School
Secondary · 1.7km away
St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School
Primary · 1.9km away
Kingshill School
Special school · 2.1km away
Cambian Gloucester
Independent · 2.2km away
Cambian - Park Hill
Independent · 2.2km away
Questions parents ask
Is St Mary's Catholic High School a selective school?
No. St Mary's Catholic High School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is St Mary's Catholic High School's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic High School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in October 2024. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend St Mary's Catholic High School?
St Mary's Catholic High School currently has 1,561 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St Mary's Catholic High School take?
St Mary's Catholic High School caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is St Mary's Catholic High School?
St Mary's Catholic High School is in Manchester, M29 7EE, in the Wigan local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does St Mary's Catholic High School have a sixth form?
Yes, St Mary's Catholic High School has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
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