Parrs Wood High School vs The Barlow RC High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in North West, England, 886 m apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Parrs Wood High School
Manchester · Academy secondary · Ages 11–18
1,786 students
The Barlow RC High School
Manchester · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
930 students
| Measure | Parrs Wood High School Manchester, North West | The Barlow RC High School Manchester, North West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 53 Top 50% | 60 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #204 of 536 | #178 of 536 |
| National rank | #1825 of 4,090 | #1513 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Local authority |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–18 | Ages 11–16 |
| Students | 1,786 | 930 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,786 | 930 |
| Free school meals | 30.3% | 39.5% |
| Capacity filled | 96.3% | 98.9% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 48.1 | 49.8 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 47.6% | 53.4% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 70.3% | 72.5% |
| EBacc average points | 4.29 | 4.42 |
| A level points per entry | 28.6 | – |
| town | Manchester | Manchester |
| region | North West | North West |
| Website | pwhs.co.uk/ | www.thebarlowrchigh.co.uk/ |
The verdict
- •The Barlow RC High School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (59.6 vs 53.0).
- •Parrs Wood High School is the larger school with 1,786 students compared with 930.
- •Parrs Wood High School is a academy school while The Barlow RC High School is a local authority school, so fees and admission rules differ.
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 Parrs Wood High School better than The Barlow RC High School?
On the Success Index (England), The Barlow RC High School ranks higher (59.6 vs 53.0 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Parrs Wood High School and The Barlow RC High School?
About 886 m in a straight line, between Manchester and Manchester in North West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Parrs Wood High School: 1,786. The Barlow RC High School: 930. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Parrs Wood High School and The Barlow RC High School rank in North West?
Parrs Wood High School is 204th of 536 and The Barlow RC High School is 178th of 536 among secondary schools in North West on the 2025 Success Index (England).