Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy, Manchester
Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy is an independent school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Manchester. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in November 2024.
- Ofsted
- Good (2024)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy in detail
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy are The Manchester Grammar School (0.8 miles, selective); Manchester High School for Girls (1.2 miles, selective); Withington Girls' School (1.4 miles, selective); and Progress Schools - Gorton (1.4 miles, Requires improvement).
The Manchester Grammar SchoolManchester High School for GirlsWithington Girls' SchoolProgress Schools - Gorton
Who goes there
In 2026, 2 pupils (5.7%) received SEN support and 7 (20%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Levenshulme Rail Station, about 90 metres away (roughly a 1-minute walk).
16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Levenshulme Station (opposite), 40 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 3rd decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Met all the independent school standards.
- Part 1: quality of educationMet
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementMet
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This school excels at welcoming pupils who have struggled in traditional settings and rebuilding their confidence and self-esteem. Staff take genuine time to know each pupil as an individual, creating trusting relationships that help pupils focus on learning. The school combines high expectations with strong support, helping many pupils rapidly improve their attendance and re-engage with education.
Key Strengths
- Strong relationships between staff and pupils that create a safe, calm learning environment - pupils feel known and valued as individuals
- Effective systems to identify and address gaps in reading knowledge, including phonics, with carefully selected books that engage pupils
- Highly effective attendance systems that help pupils with previous high absence rates rapidly improve and re-engage with learning
- Well-designed curriculum in most subjects that deepens pupils' knowledge and includes appropriate support for pupils with SEND
- Positive behaviour across the school with excellent support for pupils managing their emotions
Areas for Improvement
- In a small number of subjects, curriculum planning does not clearly identify priority knowledge gaps, leaving some teachers uncertain about what to focus on
- In some subjects, learning activities do not enable pupils to learn important knowledge as effectively as they could - some teachers need better subject knowledge to deliver the curriculum effectively
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff demonstrating strong commitment to keeping pupils safe and an open culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Museum visits, theatre productions, visits to local park, charitable work including making and selling bracelets
Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy is a welcoming independent school rated Good overall. It specialises in supporting pupils with behavioural and emotional needs who have experienced significant periods out of education.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 48
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 11
- Children hurt
- 7
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 48 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 11 serious and 37 slight.
7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 5 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
10 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Manchester is 22 (the median across 222 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
78%
Available places
35 pupils
45 places
10 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Manchester
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Manchester
Across Manchester council
Places available
7,220
Applications
6,542
Got 1st preference
77.1%
Got preferred school
94.7%
All secondary applications across Manchester council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(5)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
2
SEN Support
7
EHC Plans
25.7%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
35
Total Pupils
20
Boys
15
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy
What are GCSE results like at Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy's Ofsted rating?
Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2024.
Does Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in November 2024, Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy?
Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy has around 35 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy?
Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 48 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 11 serious and 37 slight. 7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 5 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 10 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Manchester is 22 (the median across 222 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy?
Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy is at 19 Albert Road, Manchester, M19 2EQ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)