The hardest schools to get into in Bury
Secondary: 277 families put The Elton High School first in 2026 and 201 of them (73%) were offered a place.
Reception: 64 families put Chantlers Primary School first in 2026 and 35 of them (55%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Bury with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education; last distance offered from Bury's admissions booklet.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places | Last distance offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Elton High School · Bury | 277 | 201 (73%) | 210 | - |
| 2 | Woodhey High School · Bury | 276 | 221 (80%) | 226 | 1.91 miles |
| 3 | The Derby High School · Lancs | 210 | 178 (85%) | 181 | - |
| 4 | Parrenthorn High School · Manchester | 230 | 202 (88%) | 210 | 1.8 miles |
| 5 | Manchester Mesivta School · Prestwich · faith | 43 | 41 (95%) | 41 | - |
| 6 | Star Radcliffe Academy · Radcliffe | 134 | 132 (99%) | 148 | 2.54 miles |
| 7 | Tottington High School · Bury | 69 | 68 (99%) | 117 | - |
| 8 | Unsworth Academy · Bury | 191 | 189 (99%) | 199 | - |
| 9 | Hazel Wood High School · Bury | 102 | 101 (99%) | 113 | 1.43 miles |
| 10 | Bury Church of England High School · Bury · faith | 108 | 107 (99%) | 127 | - |
| 11 | St Gabriel's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy · Bury · faith | 150 | 149 (99%) | 189 | - |
| 12 | St Monica's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy · Manchester · faith | 168 | 167 (99%) | 192 | - |
| 13 | Philips High School · Manchester | 165 | 165 (100%) | 180 | 4.38 miles |
| 14 | The Heys School · Manchester | 52 | 52 (100%) | 68 | - |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Bury
What is the hardest school to get into in Bury?
For secondary places, 277 families put The Elton High School first in 2026 and 201 of them (73%) were offered a place. For Reception, 64 families put Chantlers Primary School first and 35 of them (55%) were offered a place.
How many families in Bury get their first-choice school?
90.7% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 91.4% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Bury published it in its admissions booklet.