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catchment.school

Manchester Secondary PRU Catchment Area

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

Manchester Secondary PRU is a pupil referral unit not applicable school in Chorlton, Manchester , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 221 pupils, and a capacity of 170 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

221

Pupils

170

Capacity

130%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2024

Manchester Secondary PRU Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Manchester Secondary PRU?

The catchment area for Manchester Secondary PRU is the geographic zone Manchester uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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.

The catchment area for Manchester Secondary PRU is set by Manchester and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

Currently oversubscribed: 221 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 170 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 Secondary PRU 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 Secondary PRU: heavily oversubscribed at 130% capacity

Manchester Secondary PRU has a published admission number of 170 places. 221 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 130%. At 130% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Manchester allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 80.1% of pupils at Manchester Secondary PRU 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 Chorlton.

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 Secondary PRU: School Information

Full address
Mersey Valley Campus, Barlow Hall Road, Chorlton, M21 7JJ
Local authority
Manchester
School type
Pupil referral unit
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
11-16 years
Free school meals
80.1% of pupils
DfE URN
136743

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Manchester Secondary PRU 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 Secondary PRU

What is the catchment area for Manchester Secondary PRU?

The catchment area for Manchester Secondary PRU is the geographic zone Manchester uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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 Secondary PRU oversubscribed?

Yes, Manchester Secondary PRU currently has 221 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 170 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Manchester Secondary PRU?

Admission to Manchester Secondary PRU 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 Secondary PRU cover?

Manchester Secondary PRU is a not applicable school in Chorlton, 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 Secondary PRU?

Manchester Secondary PRU was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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