Ages 
Impressive academic results with fantastic sporting and extracurricular opportunities produces well rounded, energetic pupils, keen to make a difference. In the words of one parent, this school is ‘levelling up in action’.
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,092 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 282 ·
- Religion
- RC
- Local authority
- Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council
Headteacher
Principal
Dermot Rainey
Since 2018, Dermot Rainey, who has a BEd in RS with history from St Mary’s University College, Belfast. Grew up in Derry City, taught in Manchester for two years before moving to Mayo to teach at Rice College, (part of the same Edmund Rice network as
Entrance
Entrance exam for year 7 (GL assessment paper in VR and school’s own maths and English papers). Around 700 applicants for 140 places. After the usual looked after and sibling categories, priority goes to baptised Catholics living in the St Ambrose
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- June, September, November
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around 15 per cent leave after GCSEs, most for co-ed sixth form college or subjects not offered here. After A level, vast majority to university, over half to Russell Group. Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol and Bath all popular, with occasional pupils
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 68 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 40 per cent A*/A at A level (72 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Parents say school takes a balanced approach to academic achievement. ‘Standards are high and sometimes the boys need a little push, but it’s not what you’d call pressurised,’ one said. ‘Doing well is definitely cool,’ said another, ‘and the boys
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Just over three per cent of pupils with SEND, mostly dyslexia or autism. School is fully wheelchair accessible and has experience of pupils with sensory impairments. Five EHCPs currently. Part-time SENCo and two TAs. Most support delivered in
Arts & extracurricular
Sport gets the headlines, but music is a big thing here too,’ said one parent. Up to 15 per cent of pupils take GCSE; just a few take A level, so school sometimes runs joint year 12 and 13 classes. Over 10 per cent have private music lessons, with
Sport
The schools’ sporty reputation – particularly for rugby – is a huge draw for many boys. Other key sports are water polo, swimming, cricket, football, basketball, cross country, athletics, tennis and badminton, with Gaelic football and table tennis
Ethos & heritage
Established in 1942 in upmarket Hale Barns, St Ambrose College is part of a network of schools following the principles of Edmund Rice, the 19th century founder of the Christian Brothers. Before starting here, pupils complete a holiday task
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Parents praise the school’s ‘outstanding’ pastoral care. One said there was ‘a real partnership with the school, a feeling that we’d deal with this together’ when her son faced a difficult time. Support was swiftly put in place, with weekly mentoring
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Year 7-11 Mobile phones should not be seen or heard at any time during the school day unless specifically requested to by staff to aid teaching and learning in the very rare occasions such as to take photos of Art or DT work to aid teaching and learning. Students are not allowed to check the time on mobile phones or complete research on mobile phones.
Sixth form If you choose to bring a mobile phone or other e-devices and valuables then we cannot be held responsible in any way if they are lost or stolen. If a member of the Sixth Form is found using a mobile phone on the premises, other than in the sixth form areas on the top floor (not the breakout areas) then it is likely to be held by staff until the end of the day for the first confiscation, or until retrieved by a parent for subsequent confiscations. Sanctions will be issued in line with the school policy. Head phones will be confiscated if worn anywhere other than the Sixth Form areas on the top floor.
Pupils & parents
From our tour guide (who automatically bent down to pick up a stray bit of litter when showing us the sports pitches) through to boys we saw packing up donations of coats (for a refugee charity), the pupils we met were thoughtful and full of energy
The last word
Impressive academic results with fantastic sporting and extracurricular opportunities produces well rounded, energetic pupils, keen to make a difference. In the words of one parent, this school is ‘levelling up in action’.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Good |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form provision | Good |
