Bedford High School vs St Mary's Catholic High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in North West, England, 1.7 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Bedford High School
Leigh · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
1,111 students
St Mary's Catholic High School
Manchester · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–18
1,537 students
| Measure | Bedford High School Leigh, North West | St Mary's Catholic High School Manchester, North West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 48 Lower 50% | 47 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #240 of 536 | #243 of 536 |
| National rank | #2085 of 4,090 | #2104 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Local authority | Local authority |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 11–18 |
| Students | 1,111 | 1,537 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,111 | 1,537 |
| Free school meals | 40.2% | 20.3% |
| Capacity filled | 91.8% | 98% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 45.5 | 44.2 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 47.8% | 37.9% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 69.6% | 63.2% |
| EBacc average points | 4.09 | 3.68 |
| A level points per entry | – | 30.1 |
| town | Leigh | Manchester |
| region | North West | North West |
| Website | www.bedfordhighschool.co.uk/ | stmaryschs.org.uk/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index (England) scores (47.7 vs 47.2).
- •St Mary's Catholic High School is the larger school with 1,537 students compared with 1,111.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Bedford High School better than St Mary's Catholic High School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index (England). Differences in sector, size, programmes and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Bedford High School and St Mary's Catholic High School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Leigh and Manchester in North West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Bedford High School: 1,111. St Mary's Catholic High School: 1,537. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Bedford High School and St Mary's Catholic High School rank in North West?
Bedford High School is 240th of 536 and St Mary's Catholic High School is 243rd of 536 among secondary schools in North West on the 2025 Success Index (England).