What did Ofsted judge The Barlow RC High School's overall effectiveness to be?

Ofsted judged The Barlow RC High School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in June 2019 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in June 2024 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend The Barlow RC High School?

The Barlow RC High School has 930 pupils on roll.

What ages does The Barlow RC High School take?

The Barlow RC High School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is The Barlow RC High School located?

The Barlow RC High School is located in Manchester, M20 6BX, Manchester.

How do I apply to The Barlow RC High School?

The Barlow RC High School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

Does The Barlow RC High School have a religious character?

Yes — The Barlow RC High School has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.

How are Year 7 places decided at The Barlow RC High School?

When The Barlow RC High School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Baptised Roman Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Roman Catholic Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children; 2. Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in the named canonical parishes — Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in one of the canonical parishes named in the policy and attending one of the named feeder primary schools (St Ambrose RC Primary, St Bernard’s RC Primary, St Catherine’s RC Primary, St Cuthbert’s RC Primary); 3. Baptised Roman Catholic children with a sibling at the school — Baptised Roman Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission, and 6 further criteria.

What is the largest ethnic background at The Barlow RC High School?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 45.6% of pupils at The Barlow RC High School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

The Barlow RC High School: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

School AtlasManchester

Manchester

School AtlasManchester

Manchester

How places were offered at The Barlow RC High School, year by year →

How places are decided at The Barlow RC High School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Baptised Roman Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Roman Catholic Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children.
2Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in the named canonical parishes — Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in one of the canonical parishes named in the policy and attending one of the named feeder primary schools (St Ambrose RC Primary, St Bernard’s RC Primary, St Catherine’s RC Primary, St Cuthbert’s RC Primary).
3Baptised Roman Catholic children with a sibling at the school — Baptised Roman Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission.
4Other baptised Roman Catholic children — Other Baptised Roman Catholic children.
5Other looked after and previously looked after children — Other looked after and previously looked after children.
6Non-baptised children with a sibling at the school — Non-Baptised children who have a sibling at the time of admission.
7Children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs — Children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs, where admission to the school is essential to meet those needs.
8Children of staff — Children of staff members employed at the time of application and national offer day.
9Other children seeking a Catholic education — Other children seeking a Catholic education.

Where in any category there are more applications than places available, priority is given on the basis set out in the policy. Feeder primaries named in criterion 2 are St Ambrose RC, St Bernard’s RC, St Catherine’s RC and St Cuthbert’s RC. Transcribed verbatim from the school’s own determined admissions policy.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

The Barlow RC High School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge The Barlow RC High School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged The Barlow RC High School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in June 2019 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in June 2024 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend The Barlow RC High School?: The Barlow RC High School has 930 pupils on roll.
What ages does The Barlow RC High School take?: The Barlow RC High School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is The Barlow RC High School located?: The Barlow RC High School is located in Manchester, M20 6BX, Manchester.
How do I apply to The Barlow RC High School?: The Barlow RC High School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
Does The Barlow RC High School have a religious character?: Yes — The Barlow RC High School has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How are Year 7 places decided at The Barlow RC High School?: When The Barlow RC High School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Baptised Roman Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Roman Catholic Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children; 2. Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in the named canonical parishes — Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in one of the canonical parishes named in the policy and attending one of the named feeder primary schools (St Ambrose RC Primary, St Bernard’s RC Primary, St Catherine’s RC Primary, St Cuthbert’s RC Primary); 3. Baptised Roman Catholic children with a sibling at the school — Baptised Roman Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission, and 6 further criteria.
What is the largest ethnic background at The Barlow RC High School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 45.6% of pupils at The Barlow RC High School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Children attending these settings are given priority in this school's admissions.

St Ambrose RC Primary School

Primary

Good

St Catherine's RC Primary School

Primary

Good

St Bernard's RC Primary School Manchester

Primary

Good

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

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How places were offered at The Barlow RC High School, year by year →

How places are decided at The Barlow RC High School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Baptised Roman Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Roman Catholic Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children.
2Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in the named canonical parishes — Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in one of the canonical parishes named in the policy and attending one of the named feeder primary schools (St Ambrose RC Primary, St Bernard’s RC Primary, St Catherine’s RC Primary, St Cuthbert’s RC Primary).
3Baptised Roman Catholic children with a sibling at the school — Baptised Roman Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission.
4Other baptised Roman Catholic children — Other Baptised Roman Catholic children.
5Other looked after and previously looked after children — Other looked after and previously looked after children.
6Non-baptised children with a sibling at the school — Non-Baptised children who have a sibling at the time of admission.
7Children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs — Children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs, where admission to the school is essential to meet those needs.
8Children of staff — Children of staff members employed at the time of application and national offer day.
9Other children seeking a Catholic education — Other children seeking a Catholic education.

The Barlow RC High School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge The Barlow RC High School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged The Barlow RC High School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in June 2019 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in June 2024 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend The Barlow RC High School?: The Barlow RC High School has 930 pupils on roll.
What ages does The Barlow RC High School take?: The Barlow RC High School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is The Barlow RC High School located?: The Barlow RC High School is located in Manchester, M20 6BX, Manchester.
How do I apply to The Barlow RC High School?: The Barlow RC High School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
Does The Barlow RC High School have a religious character?: Yes — The Barlow RC High School has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How are Year 7 places decided at The Barlow RC High School?: When The Barlow RC High School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Baptised Roman Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Roman Catholic Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children; 2. Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in the named canonical parishes — Baptised Roman Catholic children resident in one of the canonical parishes named in the policy and attending one of the named feeder primary schools (St Ambrose RC Primary, St Bernard’s RC Primary, St Catherine’s RC Primary, St Cuthbert’s RC Primary); 3. Baptised Roman Catholic children with a sibling at the school — Baptised Roman Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission, and 6 further criteria.
What is the largest ethnic background at The Barlow RC High School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 45.6% of pupils at The Barlow RC High School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Explore nearby

See every school within walking distance, ranked by distance and inspection grade.

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Children attending these settings are given priority in this school's admissions.

St Ambrose RC Primary School

Primary

Good

St Catherine's RC Primary School

Primary

Good

St Bernard's RC Primary School Manchester

Primary

Good

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

The Barlow RC High School

How places are decided at The Barlow RC High School

The Barlow RC High School: key facts

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The Barlow RC High School

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

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How places are decided at The Barlow RC High School

The Barlow RC High School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

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Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Nearby schools within 5 km