Didsbury High School
4 The Avenue, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2ETOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Didsbury High School is a secondary school in Manchester for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 209 schools in Manchester. It ranks 2nd of 60 secondary schools in Manchester. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in January 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 30 January 2024, report published 10 March 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Sixth form provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 30 January 2024
Pupils benefit from the school's aspirational approach to their education. The school prioritises pupils' academic excellence and their personal development. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), experience an exceptional curriculum that enables them to learn and to achieve exceedingly well. Pupils recognise that the school has high expectations of their conduct. They understand the connection between positive behaviour and learning well. Pupils are extremely attentive to their teachers during lessons and behave sensibly around the school. Pupils are incredibly proud of the diversity in their school. They enjoy sharing information about their backgrounds and their experiences with each other. For example, pupils organised a 'culture day' to learn about their different cultural heritages and to celebrate these. Pupils value that they see themselves reflected in the curriculum. This sense of belonging helps pupils to feel happy in school. Pupils take an active role within the school community. They embrace the extensive leadership opportunities that are on offer. For example, pupils help to organise a wide variety of charity events. Pupils proudly stated that 'we are a real force for change'.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
218 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
29 students
Average A level grade B-, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,220 pupils on roll, with places for 1,350
Schools near Didsbury High School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loreto High School Chorlton | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 46.6 |
| CHS South | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 48.3 |
| Chorlton High School | 0.7 miles | Report card: Strong standard | Attainment 8: 54.0 |
| Whalley Range 11-18 High School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 52.1 |
| Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boys | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 62.2 |
School details
- School type
- Free schools
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- THE LAURUS TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Miss Katie Houghton
- Phone
- 01615075600
- Address
- 4 The Avenue, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2ET
- Local authority
- Manchester
- URN
- 143729
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.