Admissions

Welcome to Dean Trust Ardwick Admissions to Dean Trust Ardwick are managed by Manchester City Council. We follow the Local Authority’s procedures to ensure a fair and transparent application process for every child. Our Planned Admissions Number (PAN) is 270 students per year group.

Visiting Our School We warmly invite prospective parents and carers to visit us during our scheduled viewing windows in July and September. We strongly encourage you to attend these sessions; they are the best way to see our school in action, meet our staff, and experience our vibrant learning environment firsthand.

Why Choose Dean Trust Ardwick?

I am thrilled that you have chosen our school for the next stage of your child’s education, and I look forward to welcoming you as an integral part of our school community. I am immensely proud to be the Headteacher of a school that is dedicated to serving the local community. This year is a particularly exciting time to be joining us, as we proudly celebrate 10 years since Dean Trust Ardwick first opened its doors. It’s a moment of reflection, pride, and gratitude as we look back at a decade of growth, community, and achievement—and now, with great anticipation, we look forward to the future. Welcoming our new Year 7 pupils into this milestone year is especially meaningful, and we are delighted that your child will be part of our next chapter.

Here at Dean Trust Ardwick, we liken secondary school to climbing a mountain. It is effortful, requires dedication, but your child will find it extremely rewarding when they reach the top. It is our aspiration that your child will reach their summit in 2030, ready to thrive and make a valuable contribution to society. To best prepare pupils for the start of this journey, we offer a carefully crafted Transition Programme, tailored to the needs of you and your child.

At Dean Trust Ardwick, we recognise that the transition to secondary school is a pivotal time in your child’s development. While it is an exciting period full of new opportunities and personal growth, we understand that it can also come with challenges and anxieties.
To support this transition, we offer a comprehensive and tailored Transition Programme that focuses on the individual needs of each pupil. We believe any child may need support at any stage, so our approach is fully supportive and collaborative. We also provide extensive opportunities for parents and carers to share their concerns, knowing that when we work together, we can better support our pupils. Our goal is to help pupils build strong relationships, gain new knowledge, and feel confident as they begin this new chapter in their education.

Ultimately, you and your child are now a part of the Dean Trust Ardwick community – a school where I hope you are proud to belong.

Mr. Steven Worthington

Headteacher, Dean Trust Ardwick

Transition Guide Videos

What our parents say

All of my children have attended Dean Trust Ardwick. We trust the school implicitly and have seen our children thrive both academically and personally.

After attending the open evening, my child was so impressed by the supportive teachers and the high standards. It felt like the perfect fit.

The school has a beautiful environment with fantastic facilities. It creates the best possible atmosphere for learning.

All of my child's siblings have gone to and finished dean trust ardwick, we trust and believe in the school so would love for my child to continue into dean trust.

After attending you're open evening and interaction with the teachers he found your school very good and he spoke with mr harris one of the governor's directly and he also thinks my child would fit perfectly at this school because of his positive attitude.

My child came away with a great impression after he attended the open evening . We believe their supportive teachers will help my child be successful.

We had good comments about the education, professionalism, health and safety of the school.

My child is applying to this high school because it has been a meaningful part of our family’s educational journey. All of his older siblings attended and had very positive experiences both academically and personally. He is already familiar with the school environment, as his primary school is across the road, and he regularly attends sports tournaments and events held at the high school. This has helped him feel connected to the school community and excited to be a part of it.

Dean Trust Ardwick is very close to our home, which makes it an ideal choice for our family. We recently attended the school's open evening and were extremely impressed by the achievements, high standards and welcoming atmosphere.

I chose Dean Trust Ardwick for my child starting in September 2026 because I believe it offers the right balance of academic ambition, strong values, and community spirit. The school has an excellent reputation for high standards in both teaching and behaviour.

I am applying for a place at Dean Trust Ardwick for my daughter because I believe the school will provide her with the right balance of academic challenge, personal development, and community values. The school’s strong focus on high standards, discipline, and respect aligns with our goal.

The school has a beautiful environment and complete facilities, creating the best learning atmosphere and conditions. The quality of education in schools is also trustworthy, enabling students to receive better education and development here. I'm really looking forward to go to this school.

Ofsted Reports

1. Overall Excellence & Achievement
“Dean Trust Ardwick continues to be a good school… Most pupils successfully make positive gains in what they know and remember in the subjects they are studying. Pupils typically attain well, often from lower-than-average starting points. Pupils are ready for the next stages of their lives.”

2. High Expectations & Positive Culture
“Leaders have high expectations of all pupils at Dean Trust Ardwick. Pupils respond well. They engage positively with the education they receive. Pupils achieve well. Most pupils happily attend and enjoy school.”

3. Exceptional Support & Community
“They are well looked after by staff when they face challenges or need additional help. Pupils appreciate the care they receive. This helps them to get the most out of their time at school. Pupils understand the differences that exist between people and how this diversity enriches their community.”

Our Results

Progress 8: N/A
Attainment 8: 46.5
English & Maths Grade 5+: 36.89%
EBACC Entered: 62.4%
EBACC APS: 4.2

View our results

Inclusive community

We celebrate diversity and support every learner.

High expectations

We celebrate diversity and support every learner.

Local focus

We celebrate diversity and support every learner.

Key Application Details

Admissions Authority

Manchester City Council

Visiting Windows

July & September

Application Deadline

31st October 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted via the Manchester City Council Admissions Portal.

Key Dates

Application Open

July 2026

Application Dealine

October 31st, 2026

National Offer Day

March 1st, 2027

View term dates

Appeals Process

We understand that choosing the right school is a significant decision. Unfortunately, Dean Trust Ardwick is an oversubscribed school, and we are often unable to admit all students who apply. Manchester Local Authority coordinates the appeals process for families who were not successful in obtaining a place.

Appeals Deadline

To ensure your appeal is heard before the start of the academic year, you must submit the form by 30th March 2027 (Estimated Appeal Deadline).

How to Appeal

For detailed guidance and access to the nescessary forms, please visit the Manchester City Council School Place Appeals Page.