Skip to content
A free, independent guide for parents - updated each admissions cycle. 26,506 schools · England & Wales
catchment.school

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School Catchment Area

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

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is a voluntary aided secondary school in Manchester, Salford , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1068 pupils, and a capacity of 1050 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

1,068

Pupils

1,050

Capacity

102%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2024

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for St Ambrose Barlow RC High School?

The catchment area for St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is the geographic zone Salford 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, in most years, faith-based criteria. Salford publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Admission to St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is managed by Salford and typically includes both faith criteria and catchment area proximity. The weighting given to each criterion depends on the school's published oversubscription policy, which is reviewed annually.

Currently oversubscribed: 1068 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1050 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 Salford publishes the 2027 St Ambrose Barlow RC High School numbers →

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

Find Salford catchment area documents →

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School: at or above its 1050 place limit

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School has a published admission number of 1050 places. 1068 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 102%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1050 places. Salford 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. 27.4% of pupils at St Ambrose Barlow RC High School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Salford.

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

Salford 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 Salford school admissions →

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School: School Information

Full address
37 Ash Drive, Wardley, Manchester, M27 9QP
Local authority
Salford
School type
Voluntary aided school
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
27.4% of pupils
DfE URN
105989

Other Secondary Schools in Manchester

If St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Manchester are the next closest alternatives.

Other Roman Catholic Schools in Salford

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School shares its religious character with these Roman Catholic schools across Salford. Faith criteria typically sit alongside catchment distance in each school's admissions policy.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to St Ambrose Barlow RC 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: St Ambrose Barlow RC High School

What is the catchment area for St Ambrose Barlow RC High School?

The catchment area for St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is the geographic zone Salford 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, in most years, faith-based criteria. Salford publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is St Ambrose Barlow RC High School oversubscribed?

Yes, St Ambrose Barlow RC High School currently has 1068 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1050 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for St Ambrose Barlow RC High School?

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School uses both faith criteria and catchment area proximity in its admissions policy. The weighting is reviewed annually and published by Salford before each admissions cycle.

What age range does St Ambrose Barlow RC High School cover?

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School is a secondary school in Manchester, Salford, 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 St Ambrose Barlow RC High School?

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

Get admissions updates by email

Join parents who get catchment boundary changes and key admissions dates - free, once per term.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.