St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School, Manchester

In its own words: "We will be holding an open week for any prospective parents with children starting in Reception in September May we remind parents that all payments must be made through the MyEd app for Breakfast Club fees"

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Saint Ambrose Barlow we believe that every child is a unique being, created in the image of God. Within our school, we seek to create a happy, friendly and supportive environment, where every child has the opportunity to develop spiritually, intellectually and socially."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care until 6:00pm.

In 2025, 90% of Year 6 pupils at St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 87% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 79% in Wigan and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (90% in reading, 87% in maths).

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 32 families put St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 71 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School are St Stephen's CofE Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 77% reading, 80% maths); Tyldesley Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 91% reading, 93% maths); St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 85% reading, 81% maths); and Garrett Hall Primary School (1.2 miles, Outstanding, 88% reading, 93% maths).

St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

9.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 10.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 25 pupils (11.8%) received SEN support and 4 (1.9%) 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 autism.

St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 26 pupils: fewer teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Atherton Rail Station, about 2.2 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Miners Arms, 180 metres away.

St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School are St Mary's Catholic High School (0.2 miles), Bedford High School (1.2 miles) and Fred Longworth High School (1.3 miles).