The hardest schools to get into in Stockport
Secondary: 330 families put Laurus Cheadle Hulme first in 2026 and 175 of them (53%) were offered a place.
Reception: 49 families put Queensgate Primary School first in 2026 and 25 of them (51%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Stockport 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.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laurus Cheadle Hulme · Cheadle | 330 | 175 (53%) | 204 |
| 2 | Cheadle Hulme High School · Cheadle | 415 | 257 (62%) | 262 |
| 3 | Stockport School · Stockport | 312 | 237 (76%) | 255 |
| 4 | Priestnall School · Stockport | 311 | 247 (79%) | 252 |
| 5 | St James' Catholic High School · Cheadle · faith | 165 | 133 (81%) | 155 |
| 6 | Marple Hall School · Stockport | 387 | 313 (81%) | 320 |
| 7 | Stockport Academy · Stockport · faith | 190 | 163 (86%) | 199 |
| 8 | Harrytown Catholic High School · Stockport · faith | 153 | 143 (94%) | 156 |
| 9 | Hazel Grove High School · Stockport | 247 | 232 (94%) | 263 |
| 10 | St Anne's RC Voluntary Academy · Stockport · faith | 108 | 103 (95%) | 147 |
| 11 | Bramhall High School · Stockport | 179 | 178 (99%) | 292 |
| 12 | Werneth School · Stockport | 140 | 140 (100%) | 238 |
| 13 | The Kingsway School · Cheadle | 121 | 121 (100%) | 268 |
| 14 | Reddish Vale High School · Stockport | 112 | 112 (100%) | 188 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Stockport
What is the hardest school to get into in Stockport?
For secondary places, 330 families put Laurus Cheadle Hulme first in 2026 and 175 of them (53%) were offered a place. For Reception, 49 families put Queensgate Primary School first and 25 of them (51%) were offered a place.
How many families in Stockport get their first-choice school?
79.9% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 94.1% 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 Stockport published it in its admissions booklet.