St Ambrose RC Primary School, Manchester
St Ambrose RC Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Manchester. It has a Roman Catholic religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in November 2013. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in April 2023 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 237th-highest of the 258 schools in Manchester with published results, and 12,831st of 14,452 across England. It was 82% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2013)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Manchester (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St Ambrose RC Primary School in detail
St Ambrose RC Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "St Ambrose RC Primary School is a voluntary aided school for children aged five to eleven years old. We also have a nursery class which offers full-time education to children who are aged between three and four years old. The school has 240 places, 210 pupils in the main school and 26 full-time places in the nursery."
The school runs a breakfast club from 8:00am and after-school care, from £6.50 per day.
Vision and values (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 62% of Year 6 pupils at St Ambrose RC Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 59% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 74% in Manchester and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 84% in reading and 52% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at St Ambrose RC Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 13 families put St Ambrose RC Primary School as their first choice and 40 named it as one of their preferences, for 14 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at St Ambrose RC Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St Ambrose RC Primary School are Barlow Hall Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 90% reading, 87% maths); Cavendish Primary School (0.8 miles); Chorlton Park Primary (0.9 miles, Good, 76% reading, 70% maths); and Northenden Community School (0.9 miles).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than St Ambrose RC Primary School.
Barlow Hall Primary SchoolCavendish Primary SchoolChorlton Park PrimaryNorthenden Community School
Who goes there
55.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 25.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (35%), Black (23%) and Mixed (22%).
In 2026, 23 pupils (14.2%) received SEN support and 12 (7.4%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Withington (Manchester Metrolink), about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Ambrose School (outside), 30 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, St Ambrose RC Primary School issued 18 suspensions, 10 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to St Ambrose RC Primary School are Didsbury High School (0.6 miles), Loreto High School Chorlton (0.8 miles), Chorlton High School (1 mile) and CHS South (1 mile).
Didsbury High SchoolLoreto High School ChorltonChorlton High SchoolCHS South
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoThis judgement is from November 2013, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's April 2023 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This is a warm, welcoming community where pupils feel genuinely cared for and safe. The school has strong systems for teaching early reading and identifying children who need extra support, so most pupils are reading confidently by the end of key stage 1. Children benefit from an ambitious curriculum that builds knowledge progressively, and the school ensures all pupils - including those with additional needs - can access the same high-quality learning.
Key Strengths
- Strong phonics teaching from early years, with most pupils reading confidently by end of key stage 1 - effective early identification and support for those at risk of falling behind
- Well-designed ambitious curriculum with clear knowledge and experiences planned for progression through year groups
- Excellent behaviour and relationships throughout school - pupils are polite, respectful, and feel safe due to effective anti-bullying procedures
- Inclusive approach with adapted curriculum and staff training to support pupils with SEND to follow the same ambitious curriculum as peers
- Wide range of enrichment opportunities including day visits, residential experiences, after-school clubs and lunchtime activities
Areas for Improvement
- In a few subjects, teachers' subject knowledge and understanding of the most effective teaching approaches are not as strongly developed, meaning pupils don't retain important learning or deepen understanding over time - leaders should provide targeted support to develop staff expertise and help them select the best teaching strategies
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with school leaders understanding their responsibilities, staff trained regularly, swift identification of pupils at risk, strong liaison with other agencies, and pupils taught about keeping themselves safe including online safety.
Extracurricular Activities
Day visits, residential experiences, after-school clubs, lunchtime activities, sports, singing, dance, performing arts workshops, online safety workshops
St Ambrose RC Primary School continues to be a good school where pupils enjoy attending a happy, friendly environment with strong relationships and a real sense of community. Leaders have built an ambitious curriculum with well-ordered steps through year groups, and pupils learn and achieve well, including those with special educational needs.
At a Glance
55.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 84% to 62% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 52% to 59% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 60% to 55% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
20.7
Avg class size
15.0
Infant (KS1)
24.3
KS2
7
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with St Ambrose RC Primary School
Before and after school care
St Ambrose RC Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Source: Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme, Department for Education Free breakfast clubs in Manchester
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St Ambrose RC Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St Ambrose RC Primary School is in Manchester; for families living there:
Apply to Manchester for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 17
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 7
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 10 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt.
5 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
Your chances of a place at St Ambrose RC Primary School
Will you get a place at St Ambrose RC Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St Ambrose RC Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St Ambrose RC Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St Ambrose RC Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Manchester, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at St Ambrose RC Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Manchester got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
82%
Available places
162 pupils
198 places
36 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Manchester
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Manchester
Across Manchester council
Places available
7,530
Applications
5,736
Got 1st preference
95.0%
Got preferred school
99.1%
All primary applications across Manchester council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
23
SEN Support
12
EHC Plans
21.6%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
162
Total Pupils
79
Boys
83
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
10
Teachers
16.2:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£40,270
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,804
Per pupil
£1231k
Total funding
£135k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
8.4%
Overall absence
29.2%
Persistent absence
168
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
St Ambrose RC Primary School
Questions parents ask about St Ambrose RC Primary School
What are SATs results like at St Ambrose RC Primary School?
Of the pupils at St Ambrose RC Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 62% reached the expected standard in reading and 59% did so in maths.
What is St Ambrose RC Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St Ambrose RC Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in April 2023, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in November 2013, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for St Ambrose RC Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When St Ambrose RC Primary School is oversubscribed, Manchester allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at St Ambrose RC Primary School?
St Ambrose RC Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 82% of its 198 places.
How big are the classes at St Ambrose RC Primary School?
Classes at St Ambrose RC Primary School average 20.7 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to St Ambrose RC Primary School?
St Ambrose RC Primary School has around 162 pupils on roll. 56% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at St Ambrose RC Primary School?
8.4% of sessions were missed at St Ambrose RC Primary School in 2024/25. 29.2% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St Ambrose RC Primary School?
Apply through Manchester's coordinated admissions process, naming St Ambrose RC Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does St Ambrose RC Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
St Ambrose RC Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school.
How many road collisions happen near St Ambrose RC Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 10 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt. 5 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 St Ambrose RC Primary School?
St Ambrose RC Primary School is at Princess Road, Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 7QA.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)