Most sought-after schools in Manchester
Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.
This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.
This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.
| # | School | First preferences per place | Newest intake | Latest Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Didsbury High School Manchester, secondary |
1.89 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 2 |
Eden Boys' Leadership Academy, Manchester Manchester, secondary |
1.77 | 2025 | Exceptional (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 3 |
William Hulme's Grammar School Manchester, all through |
1.76 | 2025 | Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 4 |
Saint Paul's Catholic High School Manchester, secondary |
1.75 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 5 |
Co-op Academy Belle Vue Manchester, secondary |
1.65 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 6 |
Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Manchester Manchester, secondary |
1.59 | 2025 | Exceptional (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 7 |
Trinity CofE High School Manchester, secondary |
1.37 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 8 |
Our Lady's RC High School Manchester, secondary |
1.28 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 9 | St Peter's RC High School | 1.23 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 10 |
Levenshulme High School Manchester, secondary |
1.19 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 11 |
Abbott Community Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 12 |
Didsbury CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 13 |
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 14 |
St Wilfrid's CofE Junior and Infant School Manchester, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 15 |
St Willibrord's RC Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 16 |
Wright Robinson College Manchester, secondary |
1.11 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 17 |
Chorlton High School Manchester, secondary |
1.09 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 18 |
The King David High School Manchester, secondary |
1.09 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 19 |
Co-op Academy North Manchester Manchester, secondary |
1.08 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 20 |
St Richard's RC Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.08 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 21 |
Varna Community Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.08 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 22 |
Armitage CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.07 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 23 |
Chorlton CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.07 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 24 |
St Clement's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.07 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 25 |
Crossacres Primary Academy Manchester, primary |
1.06 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 26 |
Green End Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.05 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 27 |
Beaver Road Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.04 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 28 |
Crowcroft Park Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.03 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 29 |
Ravensbury Community School Manchester, primary |
1.03 | 2025 | Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 30 |
St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.03 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 31 |
Abbey Hey Primary Academy Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 32 |
All Saints Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 33 |
Barlow Hall Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 34 |
Benchill Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 35 |
Birchfields Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 36 |
Broad Oak Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 37 |
Charlestown Community Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 38 |
Claremont Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 39 |
CofE School of the Resurrection Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 40 |
Haveley Hey Community School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 41 |
Heald Place Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 42 |
Higher Openshaw Community School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 43 |
Holy Name Roman Catholic Primary School Manchester Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 44 |
Holy Trinity CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 45 |
King David Primary School Crumpsall, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 46 |
Longsight Community Primary Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 47 |
Manchester Communication Primary Academy Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 48 |
Manley Park Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 49 |
Mauldeth Road Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 50 |
Mount Carmel RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 51 |
Oasis Academy Aspinal Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 52 |
Oasis Academy Harpur Mount Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 53 |
Old Hall Drive Academy Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 54 |
Our Lady's RC Primary School Manchester Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 55 |
Plymouth Grove Primary School Ardwick, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 56 |
Rolls Crescent Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 57 |
Saviour CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 58 |
Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 59 |
St Agnes C of E Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 60 |
St Ambrose RC Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 61 |
St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 62 |
St Bernard's RC Primary School Manchester Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 63 |
St Catherine's RC Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 64 |
St Chad's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 65 |
St Chrysostom's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 66 |
St Clare's RC Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 67 |
St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 68 |
St Joseph's RC Primary School Manchester Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 69 |
St Kentigern's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 70 |
St Margaret's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 71 |
St Mary's CofE Junior and Infant School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 72 |
St Mary's CofE Primary School Moston Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 73 |
St Paul's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 74 |
St Wilfrid's RC Primary School Hulme, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 75 |
The Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 76 |
The Willows Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 77 |
Webster Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 78 |
Wilbraham Primary School Manchester, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 79 |
Chorlton Park Primary Manchester, primary |
0.99 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 80 |
Lily Lane Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.99 | 2025 | Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 81 |
Oswald Road Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.99 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 82 |
Stanley Grove Primary Academy Longsight, primary |
0.99 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 83 |
Acacias Community Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 84 |
Bowker Vale Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 85 |
Crab Lane Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 86 |
Gorton Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 87 |
Moston Lane Community Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 88 |
Pike Fold Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 89 |
St Anthony's Catholic Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 90 |
St John's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 91 |
St Wilfrid's CofE Aided Primary School Northenden Manchester, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 92 |
Button Lane Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 93 |
Co-op Academy Broadhurst Manchester, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 94 |
E-ACT Blackley Academy Manchester, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 95 |
Ladybarn Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 96 |
Rack House Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 97 |
Rushbrook Primary Academy Manchester, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 98 |
St Luke's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 99 |
Ashbury Meadow Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 100 |
Brookburn Community School Manchester, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 101 |
Cheetwood Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 102 |
Crumpsall Lane Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 103 |
Newall Green Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 104 |
Ringway Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 105 |
Sandilands Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 106 |
St Anne's RC Primary School Crumpsall Manchester Manchester, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 107 |
St Peter's Catholic Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 108 |
All Saints C of E Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 109 |
Briscoe Lane Academy Manchester, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 110 |
Christ The King RC Primary School Manchester Manchester, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 111 |
Co-op Academy New Islington Manchester, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 112 |
St Anne's RC Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 113 |
St Brigid's RC Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 114 |
St James' CofE Primary School Gorton Manchester, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 115 |
West Didsbury CE Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 116 |
Cringle Brook Primary School Levenshulme, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 117 |
Old Moat Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 118 |
Sacred Heart RC Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 119 |
St Andrew's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 120 |
Alma Park Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 121 |
Baguley Hall Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 122 |
Burnage Academy for Boys Manchester, secondary |
0.92 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 123 |
Chapel Street Community Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 124 |
Unity Community Primary Manchester, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 125 |
Cheetham CofE Community Academy Manchester, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 126 |
Cravenwood Primary Academy Manchester, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 127 |
Irk Valley Community School Manchester, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 128 |
Oasis Academy Temple Manchester, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 129 |
Seymour Road Academy Manchester, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 130 |
Moston Fields Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.87 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 131 |
New Moston Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.85 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 132 |
Manchester Enterprise Academy Central Manchester, secondary |
0.83 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 133 |
St Augustine's CofE Primary School Manchester, primary |
0.83 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 134 |
Parrs Wood High School Manchester, secondary |
0.82 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 135 |
Manchester Communication Academy Manchester, secondary |
0.76 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 136 |
Whalley Range 11-18 High School Manchester, secondary |
0.76 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 137 |
The Barlow RC High School Manchester, secondary |
0.71 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 138 |
St Matthew's RC High School Manchester, secondary |
0.67 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 139 |
CHS South Manchester, secondary |
0.66 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 140 |
Dean Trust Ardwick Manchester, secondary |
0.64 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 141 |
Manchester Enterprise Academy Wythenshawe, secondary |
0.60 | 2025 | Urgent improvement (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 142 |
Co-op Academy Manchester Manchester, secondary |
0.58 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 143 |
The East Manchester Academy Manchester, secondary |
0.57 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 144 |
Loreto High School Chorlton Manchester, secondary |
0.51 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 145 |
Dixons Brooklands Academy Manchester, secondary |
0.47 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 146 |
Cedar Mount Academy Gorton, secondary |
0.40 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 147 |
Manchester Academy Manchester, secondary |
0.35 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 147 schools in Manchester have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Manchester · How we compare schools.