Need advice: St Bede's College Manchester

[Crazydadmanchester]

Hi all, new to here. DS is seriously considering for year 7 entry next year but we can't find many discussion about this college on the web. Its small class, pastoral care we heard and location are something we need. However, we notice the recent changes in its head, governing bodies, etc. Can we have any latest idea of how the college is doing? Is the entrance assessment challenging? Any advice will be much appreciated. Thank you.

We visited their open day and spoke to the academic deputy head. He said the school is non selective, so the entrance examination is to assess more where your child is. He said they are more likely to reject a candidate based on the interview; it's generally about if they feel they can support your child.

I know a couple of families that have sent their children there and have been very happy. We left feeling our DS would benefit greatly by the smaller classes and strong pastoral care. But, we live in Trafford, so plan to prioritise the grammar schools if we can get a place there. Otherwise, it continues to be a high consideration for us.

Thank you yoshi it is very helpful.

Do either of you have any information of 6th Form leavers' destinations from here? I can't find any on the website. Thanks.

Sorry I dont, but I'd ask the school.

I think the sixth form is quite small, I think many children in that area go to Loreto/Xaverian 6th Form colleges

Apparently they don't publish full list of leavers destinations but some show cases.
https://sbcm.co.uk/a-level-results/

I went to bedes. Its excellent.

Thank you!!

I have friends at StB. All seem happy. Only niggles around traditional sterotypes eg uniform / girls sports etc and massive catchment can mean no local mates at all

I have a friend whose DC got ok A levels but not great. Went all way through StB. But also partied hard and possibly not enough revision.. that can happen anywhere

Thanks, it looks like their GCSE results are better than A level's. We will visit the college again for open day next week.

Where do you live @Crazydadmanchester

I wondered what your state comprehensive/selective options were?

We are in Trafford while DS prefers good pastoral care and sports and not going for state selectives. Need some luck as we are on the boundries of some preferred local comps, and privates could also be our options. We will see how the March offers go for both.

One of the local premiership football clubs pay for their academy players to go there.

Yes ManCity have a long standing arrangement with them for the top Academy boys. They have eg Weds afternoon at the academy etc

It's gone down and down and my well connected, catholic primary head told me the school was in dire straits financially.

If you're willing to pay would you not try for MGS? Or are you looking for a less selective school?

Admittedly Stretford and Urmston grammars have not been my choice (facilities not good enough but academics better than Bedes by a long way). I know lots of happy, well achieving kids at both.

If its sports facilities you are after have you considered St Ambrose? The catchment is wide, they don't just take Catholics, it is selective so he'd have to pass the exam, the bus services go everywhere but especially around trafford. The teaching is top, the head is a star, results are good but best of all the boys are lovely and do well.

As non selective independents go I've got half an eye on Bridgewater in worsley. One of our music teachers is a Peri there and she recommended that and Sale Grammar for music. Bede's looks to have a great arts programme and it's Catholic so would be an ideal second choice for my ds if he didn't get into St Ambrose but I worry that a) it's too geared towards the Man City kids and b) if they are in trouble financially they could close suddenly and it would be horrid for ds and a pain for me.

@Crazydadmanchester Am I right that you said not doing state selective schools? @ZenNudist I wouldn't worry about the city thing. As far as I have ever known they get no special treatment other than adapted timetable & they aren't allowed to play for the school footy team.
Some have big egos that's all
No idea re finances but it seems easy to get a place. I did hear of a family recently who had told others they got a sports bursary.. but these aren't on web site? Maybe they got a discount to persuade them to go to fill a place

@ZenNudist interesting what you say about St Bedes finances. Bridgewater School would worry me more given it's even smaller size. Facilities at a glance don't look great for the amount you'd be paying either.

Not sure if the OP's son is year 5 or 6? So may have missed the exam for St Ambrose.

We're trying for St Ambrose's exam next Sept, is that the same for you @ZenNudist ?

Pastoral care at MGS is zilch. Friend had both DSs there. Older one had a complete nightmare, younger one has moved after GCSEs to a different (mixed) private school in the area and is absolutely loving it. Friend had so many meetings at MGS and so many promises were made about how they would look after her DC. None of them materialised.

Hi
I wonder what current thoughts on St Bede’s Manchester is? I am considering it as well as others in the area as it’s non selective

I’d say the thread above prob same? I’ve a feeling the HT changed but the new one is the old deputy. Can’t quite recall. I remember thinking that schools often benefit from fresh leadership.
Its not gone bust yet lol but assume the VAT thing may have hit.
Man City still have their programme but they are on reduced GCSE programme (less subjects and restricted options) and only there part of the week so doesn’t impact the others apart from fact that they don’t really mix I believe.
Have you visited?