Why Choose Co-op Academy Manchester
Give your child a brilliant start at Co-op Academy Manchester
Secondary school places in Manchester
At Co-op Academy Manchester, we want every young person to feel happy, supported and inspired to achieve their best.
We believe secondary school should be about more than lessons and exams. It's a place to discover new talents, make friends, build confidence and prepare for the future.
From fantastic facilities and more than 30 clubs to free school uniform and dedicated support for families, there are lots of things that make Manchester special.
We are proud to be a welcoming school where every student is encouraged to aim high, work hard and succeed.
Come and discover what your child could achieve at Co-op Academy Manchester.
What makes Co-op Academy Manchester special?
A great start, with the essentials provided
We know that starting secondary school can be expensive for families, so we want to make things a little easier.
Every new student receives their first set of school uniform completely free, including a blazer, tie, PE T-shirt and PE multi-top.
All students in Years 7 to 11 also receive a free pencil case with a pen, red pen, pencil and ruler every September, with stationery topped up each year.
And through our Trust's Fair Deal, we provide all the ingredients students need for their cooking lessons.
It's one less thing for families to worry about and another way we make sure every young person has what they need to take part and succeed.
Helping every student achieve their best
We have high ambitions for every student and want them to leave Manchester with the knowledge, qualifications and confidence to take their next steps.
Our English Language and English Literature GCSE results are above the national average at grades 4+, 5+ and 7+.
We also know that every student learns differently and may need extra help along the way.
In Year 11, students receive additional maths and English support during morning tutor time to help them prepare for their GCSE examinations.
Each year group also has a dedicated attendance officer, a non-teaching Head of Year and an Academic Head of Year, helping students and families get the support they need.
Our Year 7 attendance is significantly above the national average, reflecting the positive start our youngest students make to secondary school.
Dedicated support for children with special educational needs
Every young person is different, and we want every student at Co-op Academy Manchester to feel included, valued and supported.
Our dedicated Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team works closely with students, families and teachers to understand individual needs and help every child achieve their potential.
We know that choosing a secondary school can feel especially important for families of children with additional needs. We want you to feel confident that your child will be understood, supported and given opportunities to thrive.
That's why we offer dedicated SEND school tours, giving families the chance to visit the academy, meet members of our team and talk about the support available.
You can ask questions, explore the school environment and find out how we can help your child feel happy, confident and ready for secondary school.
Discover new talents and interests
Over 30 clubs and fantastic facilities to explore
There's so much more to school life than sitting in a classroom.
At Co-op Academy Manchester, students can choose from more than 30 extracurricular clubs throughout the week, giving them the chance to try something new, make friends and develop their interests.
Our fantastic facilities include a theatre used for Academy and Trust productions and events, a climbing wall and a fully equipped gym.
For students who love music, we have a full range of orchestral instruments, opportunities for specialist music lessons, a music technology suite and even a DJ booth.
Whether your child loves sport, performing, music or trying something completely new, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
We want every student to discover something they love and feel proud of what they can achieve.
A library at the heart of our school
Our school library is a welcoming space where students can enjoy reading, study and discover new interests.
It's open before and after school, as well as at break and lunchtime, giving students plenty of opportunities to visit.
Alongside our fully stocked collection of books, students can access more than 2,000 ebooks and 1,200 audiobooks.
Whether they love getting lost in a story, discovering new facts or finding somewhere quiet to read, there's something for everyone.
Celebrating effort and achievement
Golden Tickets and exciting rewards
We believe that hard work, kindness and a positive attitude deserve to be recognised.
In every lesson, staff award one Golden Ticket to a student who has impressed them.
Students can enter their tickets into a prize draw each Friday, with the chance to win fantastic prizes such as bikes, iPads and Amazon vouchers.
It's a fun way to celebrate achievements, recognise effort and encourage students to keep doing their best.
A great start to secondary school
Helping Year 7 students feel welcome and confident
Moving from primary to secondary school is a big step, and we want every child to feel excited and ready for the change.
Our Year 7 team is there to help students settle in, make friends, find their way around and get used to new routines.
With a dedicated Head of Year, Academic Head of Year and attendance support, there are always people available to help students and families.
We are especially proud that our Year 7 attendance is significantly above the national average.
We want every young person to feel that they belong at Manchester from their very first day.
Preparing students for a bright future
Award-winning careers education
We want students to leave Co-op Academy Manchester feeling confident about their future and excited about the opportunities ahead.
Our careers programme helps young people discover different jobs, explore their interests and understand the pathways available after secondary school.
We're proud to hold the Quality in Careers Standard, first awarded in July 2022 and renewed in July 2025.
As part of Co-op Academies Trust, we also benefit from unique connections with Co-op and its network of businesses and partners.
These links help us create meaningful experiences that introduce students to the world of work, develop important skills and raise their ambitions.
We want every young person to know that their future is full of possibilities.
Supporting students and families
A caring school community
We know that young people do their best when they feel happy, included and supported.
Our dedicated pastoral teams work closely with students and families to make sure everyone has someone they can turn to.
We are particularly proud of the support we provide for young carers.
Our specialist young carers group gives students the chance to meet others with similar experiences, access support and enjoy activities and trips.
We are the only school in Manchester to have secured support from Manchester Active for young carers to take part in experiences such as First Aid training and BMX biking.
These opportunities help students build friendships, learn new skills and enjoy experiences outside their caring responsibilities.
Supporting families when it matters most
At Manchester, we believe that supporting children also means supporting their families.
Through Money Matters, families can access free, confidential financial advice and support if they are struggling with the cost of living.
Our Financial Inclusion Officer can help families understand what support is available and find practical ways forward.
Alongside our free uniform, stationery and cooking ingredients, it's another way we work to remove barriers and make sure every student has the opportunity to succeed.
We want every family to feel welcome and know that we're here to help.
Looking for a new secondary school?
Your child can join Manchester during the school year too
Students can join Co-op Academy Manchester at different points during their secondary education, subject to places being available.
If your child is already attending another secondary school and you are thinking about moving them, our team can help.
We understand that changing schools is a big decision, and we're happy to explain the admissions process, answer questions and help you find out whether there is a place available in your child's year group.
Come and visit Co-op Academy Manchester
See what makes our school special
Choosing the right secondary school is an important decision, and the best way to get a feel for Manchester is to come and see us.
You can explore our fantastic facilities, meet members of our team, find out about our lessons and clubs, and ask any questions you may have.
From our theatre and music facilities to our welcoming library and dedicated support teams, there's plenty to discover.
Most importantly, you'll get a feel for the school community your child could become part of.
We'd love to welcome you and show you what makes Co-op Academy Manchester special.