Irlam and Cadishead Academy, Manchester

In 2026, pupils at Irlam and Cadishead Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.9 in Salford and 47 across England.

48% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Salford and 47% in England.

That is up from 43.6 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.07: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 40.5, against 49.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Engineering Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 162 families put Irlam and Cadishead Academy as their first choice and 206 named it as one of their preferences, for 174 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Irlam and Cadishead Academy are Broadoak School (1.6 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 38.5); Wellacre Technology Academy (1.7 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 47.9); Flixton Girls School (2.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.9); and Urmston Grammar Academy (3.1 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 75.6).

Irlam and Cadishead Academy's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Irlam and Cadishead Academy is one of 98 schools run by United Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49 in 2024/25.

Of the 106 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 80% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 61% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 5% into work.

39.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 9.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (82%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 108 pupils (12.8%) received SEN support and 25 (3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Irlam Rail Station, about 240 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Medical Centre (outside), 190 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Irlam and Cadishead Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Irlam and Cadishead Academy issued 212 suspensions, 27.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 8 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Irlam and Cadishead Academy are St Teresa's RC Primary School a Voluntary Academy (0.1 miles), Cadishead Primary Academy (0.4 miles), Irlam Primary School (0.7 miles) and St Mary's CofE Primary School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.