Central and South Manchester schools - which one?

[LoveJaffaCakes]

We are relocating from London to Manchester. DD1 has a place in Xavarian College (because 6th forms don't mind what address you have when you apply) but DD2 will need a year 8 place in September (we cannot fund an independent). We are not religious so won't be able to access CofE or RC schools and know William Hulme is very unlikely to have space. We're going to rent first and buy later but plan to be somewhere in South Manchester, possible Levenshulme..although it will depend on what we find/budget etc. Do any of you have any experience of these schools:

• Dean Trust Ardwick
• MEA Central
• CHS South
• CHS
• Didsbury High School
• Manchester Academy.

[SwayingInTime]

I would not advise Levenshulme or Manchester Academy. There are loads of threads covering this. Similar vibe in Old Trafford and Withington but actually has facilities and access to nicer areas. Firswood is cheaper and even nicer. Some parts of Stretford also nicer although getting less affordable.

Chorlton High and Didsbury High are very well regarded and big enough to potentially have spaces through general churn. CHS is absolutely fine and likely to places I would have thought. No idea about high school in Ardwick but would have thought a school there would have its challenges.

I wouldn’t discount religious schools at all, if they have spaces you can go. Catholic high schools aren’t actually that popular, I think Loreto High School in Chorlton generally has places.

[Mushroo]

Didsbury has a tiny tiny catchment - something like 0.8 miles (it’s on the website) so you may struggle to get a place.

if schools are your focus they are generally better in Trafford.

or Chorlton you have the option of Stretford grammar.

[SwayingInTime]

And whalley range high school for girls as you have DDs? Flixton high school is girls only too (possibly would leave DD1 with a long commute but you could live equidistant).

[SwayingInTime]

@Mushroo

Didsbury has a tiny tiny catchment - something like 0.8 miles (it’s on the website) so you may struggle to get a place.

if schools are your focus they are generally better in Trafford.

or Chorlton you have the option of Stretford grammar.

I would say Trafford is not a good idea for a year 8 place. Even though I just mentioned Flixton Girls, just thought it might be worth a try. Trafford LEA tend to never have spaces except for at Lostock College.

[SwayingInTime]

I do love these threads though, feel free to tell us your house budget - or start a new one for that!

[LaPufalina]

Does Whalley Range have any places? I don't know anyone that attends, our daughters are still primary-school/nursery age but starting to think about options; we're borderline for Didsbury High but might get into Stretford Grammar if they pass the 11+ as we're a Chorlton postcode

[Lovetogarden2022]

It's a minefield, so lots of sympathy! Every child is different, and different schools suit different students. My family friend is moving back over to the UK (to south Manchester) from Singapore with her three kids in September, the oldest of which is in year 7 - they enlisted the help of a private educational consultant. Could this be an option?
She had her heart set on MEA, but the educational consultant advised her against this, and have recommended somewhere else which I'm 100% sure will suit her daughter (and two younger children down the line) much much better

[LoveJaffaCakes]

@Lovetogarden2022 I've just checked out the fees for an education consultant and I suspect we won't be going down that road. I think they're really only interested in independent schools. Thanks for mentioning the idea though.

@LaPufalina unfortunately Whalley Range is girls only and I'm looking for a co-ed.

[SwayingInTime]

Good summary! I really would consider the single sex schools in your position.

[LaPufalina]

@LoveJaffaCakes

@Lovetogarden2022 I've just checked out the fees for an education consultant and I suspect we won't be going down that road. I think they're really only interested in independent schools. Thanks for mentioning the idea though.

@LaPufalina unfortunately Whalley Range is girls only and I'm looking for a co-ed.

Fair enough, we haven't decided yet and we've got withington girls in the mix too. I'd prefer co-ed. I did have an email from CH from someone the other day with pronouns in the signature so that put me off; it's our nearest school though. Is CHS the same group?

[LaPufalina]

Thanks @mublma

[pinkroseapp]

I have two sons, DS1 goes to MGS with a bursary, DS2 goes to Stretford Grammar. I didn’t realise how good MGS is until DS2 started at Stretford Grammar. Stretford Grammar is a good school of course however it could not compare with MGS in any aspects.

[BingoBungle]

Don’t discount independent. If you’re coming from London you will be very pleasantly surprised by the school fees.

A shame you don’t have boys, as MGS is the only school in the country other than Eton than can offer admission on a “needs blind” basis ie up to 100% fees.

[Lovetogarden2022]

The consultant my family friend used covered grammar schools too - I don't think it was too expensive from what she said either :)

[LoveJaffaCakes]

Update - well after a very long wait (Manchester admissions are really struggling it seems) our DD2 was offered CHS South. She is possibly the happiest I have ever seen her in school. Fingers crossed that it all continues to go well.

[Mushroo]

@LoveJaffaCakes thats great news! Glad it all worked out

[Feetache]

Great to hear that feedback for a regular state school