Welcome

About Didsbury High School

Didsbury High School is a secondary free school for 11-18 year old students in South Manchester run by the Laurus Trust. In 2023, the school received its first Ofsted inspection and was graded ‘Outstanding’ in every area.

Didsbury High School is a non-selective, non-denominational free school. It opened in September 2019, initially providing 210 Year 7 places in eight form groups. The school now has all seven year groups with a student population that exceeds 1,100. This includes our academic Sixth Form for 300 students.

Our students have access to state-of-the-art facilities in a modern building behind Didsbury Point, adjacent to the Siemens building.

You can discover more about our curriculum on our curriculum and assessment pages.

Katie Houghton

Head of School

Since the very moment Didsbury High School opened its doors to students, Katie has been part of the school’s leadership team, striving for brilliant outcomes for the students. She has been the school’s Deputy Head over the last couple of years and feels extremely privileged to have become the school’s second ever Head.

Initially a History teacher and Head of House at Cheadle Hulme High School, Katie gained the post of Assistant Head of School for Didsbury High School (DHS) the year before it opened.

She has been part of the team that saw Didsbury High School through from conception to reality. Throughout her years at DHS, Katie’s energy has been placed in ensuring the students become successful, happy and healthy individuals – a mission she continues to strive for as Head of School.

Katie has lived in Manchester since she went to the University of Manchester to read History in 2008. Katie also gained a PGCE, then later a Masters in Education, from Manchester Metropolitan University. She now lives in Didsbury with her young family. Katie is also a keen athlete, and has played semi-professional rugby for Sale Sharks. So, although not a born or bred Mancunian, Manchester holds a very special place in her heart!

Katie is absolutely committed to making Didsbury High School a true community school; a school the staff, students and local residents are extremely proud of.

David Woolley

Executive Head

Before taking up the reins at Didsbury High School, David was a Deputy Head at Cheadle Hulme High School. Prior to this, he taught for over 10 years in Manchester. He is a Specialist Leader of Education who supports colleagues and schools across the region. David is delighted to have been the founding Head of School at Didsbury High School.

In 2008, having achieved the very highest standards of classroom practice, David secured his Advanced Skills Teacher status (AST) in Mathematics. This enabled him to share his skills and experience with other teachers across Greater Manchester. He then went on to develop and lead departments in other schools.

Soon after joining Cheadle Hulme High School, David completed his doctorate in education and now leads the Trust’s Research and Development programme. Through this work he co-founded the North West One Maths Hub which works to improve the teaching of mathematics across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Having been born and raised in Didsbury, David is committed to ensuring the very best education and opportunities for the children of Manchester and firmly believes that second best for anyone simply will not do.