The Barlow RC High School is a comprehensive school in

Didsbury Didsbury is a suburban area of Manchester, England, on the north bank of the River Mersey, south of Manchester city centre. The population at the 2011 census was 26,788. Within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire, there are ...

Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

. The school is in the

Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford The Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford is centred on the City of Salford in Greater Manchester, England. The diocese was founded in 1852 as one of the first post-Reformation Catholic dioceses in Great Britain. Since 1911 it has formed part of th ...

, maintained by the

Education Authority The Education Authority ( ga, Údarás Oideachais) is a non-departmental body sponsored by the Department of Education (Northern Ireland), Department of Education in Northern Ireland. It was established under the Education Act (Northern Ireland) ...

. The parish communities served by the school are St Ambrose, St Bernard's, St Bernadette's, St Catherine's and St Cuthbert's. The school's associated primary schools are St Ambrose's RC Primary School, St Bernard's RC Primary School, St Catherine's RC Primary School and St Cuthbert's RC Primary School.

Exam results

In July 2012, it received national recognition from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) for achieving some of the fastest improving GCSE results in the country. In August 2012, the school's GCSE results improved for the fourth year in succession. 95% of pupils achieved at 5 A*-C grades, including 74% with English and maths. The results placed the school as one of the highest performing secondary schools in Manchester.

Ofsted report

Inspectors from the

Office for Standards in Education The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) is a non-ministerial department of His Majesty's government, reporting to Parliament. Ofsted is responsible for inspecting a range of educational institutions, includ ...

who visited the school in October 2012, praised pupils, staff and governors and stated that 'under passionate, visionary leadership, the school is going from strength-to-strength.' Inspectors reported that the school is innovative in developing the curriculum and attainment is significantly above average. Pupils achieve well because teaching is consistently good as is behaviour and the school has exemplary methods of safeguarding pupils.

Sporting achievements

In 2001 Barlow's year 9 football team became national champions, winning the 'Heinz Cup' at Stamford Bridge.

Facilities

In April 2010 a programme of building work costing about £11.2 million began as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme, the Labour Government's investment programme to refurbish secondary schools in England. The first phase was completed in summer 2011 and in September 2011, a science block opened. The building houses three specialist and two multi-use laboratories, two science studios, an ICT learning area and two preparation rooms. The facilities were additional to a drama and dance studio, sports hall, ICT suites and astro turf pitch. The renovation concluded in August 2012 with remodelled English, Maths, Design & Technology and Art departments. The classrooms have interactive technology, including computers, laptops, whiteboards and projectors.

Notable former pupils

Notable alumni include

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band members

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and

Noel Gallagher Noel Thomas David Gallagher (born 29 May 1967) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. He was the chief songwriter, lead guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Oasis until their split in 2009. After leaving Oasis, he formed ...

References

External links

The Barlow RC High School and Specialist Science College
– Manchester City Council
The Barlow RC High School Ofsted Reports
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barlow RC High School Secondary schools in Manchester Didsbury Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Salford Educational institutions established in 1985 1985 establishments in England Voluntary aided schools in England