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Didsbury High School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Didsbury High School is a free s secondary school in Manchester , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1181 pupils, and a capacity of 1350 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-18

Age range

1,181

Pupils

1,350

Capacity

87%

Fill rate

Outstanding

Ofsted 2024

Didsbury High School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Didsbury High School?

The catchment area for Didsbury High School is the geographic zone Manchester uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Manchester publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Secondary school places at Didsbury High School are allocated by Manchester using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Manchester before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Manchester catchment area documents →

Didsbury High School: 1350 places, 87% filled: places available

Didsbury High School has a published admission number of 1350 places. 1181 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 87%. At 87% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1350 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 40% of pupils at Didsbury High School are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Manchester.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Manchester publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Manchester school admissions →

Didsbury High School: School Information

Full address
4 The Avenue, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2ET
Local authority
Manchester
School type
Free schools
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
40% of pupils
DfE URN
143729

Other Secondary Schools in Manchester

If Didsbury High School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Manchester are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Didsbury High School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Didsbury High School

What is the catchment area for Didsbury High School?

The catchment area for Didsbury High School is the geographic zone Manchester uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Manchester publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Didsbury High School oversubscribed?

Didsbury High School has a capacity of 1350 places and currently has 1181 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Manchester.

What is the admissions policy for Didsbury High School?

Admission to Didsbury High School is managed by Manchester. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Didsbury High School cover?

Didsbury High School is a secondary school in Manchester, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Didsbury High School?

Didsbury High School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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