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Southern Cross School Catchment Area

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

Southern Cross School is an academy special converter not applicable school in Manchester , serving pupils aged 9-16, with 165 pupils, and a capacity of 169 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

9-16

Age range

165

Pupils

169

Capacity

98%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2018

Southern Cross School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Southern Cross School?

The catchment area for Southern Cross School 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.

As an academy, Southern Cross School 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.

Operating near capacity: 98% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Southern Cross School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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 →

Southern Cross School: 169 places, 98% filled: nearing capacity

Southern Cross School has a published admission number of 169 places. 165 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 98%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 169, Manchester's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 75.8% of pupils at Southern Cross 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 →

Southern Cross School: School Information

Full address
Roundwood Road, Northenden, Manchester, M22 4AB
Local authority
Manchester
School type
Academy special converter
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
9-16 years
Free school meals
75.8% of pupils
DfE URN
151407

Other Not applicable Schools in Manchester

If Southern Cross School is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Manchester are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Southern Cross 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: Southern Cross School

What is the catchment area for Southern Cross School?

The catchment area for Southern Cross School 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 Southern Cross School oversubscribed?

Southern Cross School is operating close to its capacity of 169 places (98% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Southern Cross School?

Admission to Southern Cross 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 Southern Cross School cover?

Southern Cross School is a not applicable school in Manchester, serving pupils aged 9-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Southern Cross School?

Southern Cross School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2018. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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