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Manchester Communication Academy Catchment Area

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

Manchester Communication Academy is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Manchester , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1299 pupils, and a capacity of 1200 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

1,299

Pupils

1,200

Capacity

108%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2024

Manchester Communication Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Manchester Communication Academy?

The catchment area for Manchester Communication Academy 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.

As an academy, Manchester Communication Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Manchester. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Currently oversubscribed: 1299 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1200 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Manchester publishes the 2027 Manchester Communication Academy numbers →

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 →

Manchester Communication Academy: at or above its 1200 place limit

Manchester Communication Academy has a published admission number of 1200 places. 1299 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 108%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1200 places. Manchester allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 59.6% of pupils at Manchester Communication Academy 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 →

Manchester Communication Academy: School Information

Full address
Silchester Drive, Harpurhey, Manchester, M40 8NT
Local authority
Manchester
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
59.6% of pupils
DfE URN
136105

Other Secondary Schools in Manchester

If Manchester Communication Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Manchester are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Manchester Communication Academy 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: Manchester Communication Academy

What is the catchment area for Manchester Communication Academy?

The catchment area for Manchester Communication Academy 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 Manchester Communication Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, Manchester Communication Academy currently has 1299 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1200 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Manchester Communication Academy?

Admission to Manchester Communication Academy 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 Manchester Communication Academy cover?

Manchester Communication Academy is a secondary school in Manchester, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Manchester Communication Academy?

Manchester Communication Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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