Schools across Manchester

Local authority · 225 schools across 16 towns

Total Schools

225

141 primary · 30 secondary

Total Pupils

98,065

91% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

45

11 outstanding · 34 good

Capacity

107,359

9,294 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

34
165
Outstanding: 11
Good: 34
Requires Improvement: 12
Inadequate: 3
Not inspected: 165

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

71.5%

KS2 Maths

71.1%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

89% full
51,588 pupils57,904 capacity

6,316 spare places

Secondary Schools

94% full
33,394 pupils35,425 capacity

2,031 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.8%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

18.4%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

173

2024/25

Absence trend across Manchester schools

4.3%
18/19
5.3%
20/21
6.8%
21/22
7%
22/23
6.6%
23/24
6.8%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

64%

Plans Issued

1,657

Assessment Requests

2,305

Tribunal Cases

18

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

65%
2019
51%
2020
68%
2021
49%
2022
51%
2023
64%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

7,860 admissions

288

Lodged

(3.7%)

147

Heard

33

Successful

(22%)

Primary (infant classes)

6,922 admissions

172

Lodged

(2.5%)

81

Heard

8

Successful

(10%)

Secondary

8,167 admissions

503

Lodged

(6.2%)

368

Heard

60

Successful

(16%)

Total

16,027 admissions

791

Lodged

(4.9%)

515

Heard

93

Successful

(18%)

Total appeals lodged per year

1927
2019
1827
2020
1684
2021
2117
2022
2024
2023
1611
2024
1754
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.