The hardest schools to get into in Tameside
Secondary: 270 families put Laurus Ryecroft first in 2026 and 188 of them (70%) were offered a place.
Reception: 41 families put Dane Bank Primary School first in 2026 and 30 of them (73%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Tameside 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 Ryecroft · Manchester | 270 | 188 (70%) | 198 |
| 2 | St Thomas More RC College · Manchester · faith | 195 | 144 (74%) | 149 |
| 3 | West Hill School · Stalybridge | 201 | 152 (76%) | 161 |
| 4 | Alder Community High School · Hyde | 221 | 169 (77%) | 172 |
| 5 | St Damian's RC Science College · Ashton-under-Lyne · faith | 192 | 147 (77%) | 159 |
| 6 | Mossley Hollins High School · Ashton-under-Lyne | 206 | 170 (83%) | 178 |
| 7 | Droylsden Academy · Manchester | 199 | 168 (84%) | 181 |
| 8 | Audenshaw School · Manchester | 189 | 173 (92%) | 201 |
| 9 | Longdendale High School · Hyde | 161 | 150 (93%) | 177 |
| 10 | Hyde High School · Hyde | 187 | 181 (97%) | 194 |
| 11 | Dixons Ashton Academy · Ashton-under-Lyne | 196 | 194 (99%) | 258 |
| 12 | Rayner Stephens High School · Dukinfield | 131 | 130 (99%) | 161 |
| 13 | Fairfield High School for Girls · Manchester | 156 | 155 (99%) | 196 |
| 14 | All Saints Catholic College · Dukinfield · faith | 126 | 126 (100%) | 146 |
| 15 | Denton Community Academy · Manchester | 92 | 92 (100%) | 142 |
| 16 | Dixons Pennine Academy · Stalybridge | 74 | 74 (100%) | 109 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Tameside
What is the hardest school to get into in Tameside?
For secondary places, 270 families put Laurus Ryecroft first in 2026 and 188 of them (70%) were offered a place. For Reception, 41 families put Dane Bank Primary School first and 30 of them (73%) were offered a place.
How many families in Tameside get their first-choice school?
86.7% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 95.4% 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 Tameside published it in its admissions booklet.