Didsbury High School has officially been rated Outstanding by Ofsted in the school’s first ever report. A team of inspectors visited the school on the 30th and 31st January 2024, to carry out a two-day inspection and rated the school Outstanding across all areas, including the Sixth Form.  

The inspectors stated that students ‘benefit from the school’s aspirational approach to their education’ and highlighted how ‘staff are immensely happy to work here.’ They also commended how ‘the school prioritises pupils’ academic excellence, their personal development’ and how students, ‘including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), experience an exceptional curriculum that enables them to learn and to achieve exceedingly well.’  

Image of a Didsbury High School teacher delivering a science experiment to students.

During the visit, inspectors spent time in the Sixth Form, which only opened its doors to the first cohort of A Level students in September 2023. Within the report the team of inspectors praised how ‘students in the Sixth Form are particularly diligent and studious’ and how ‘they are very positive role models for younger pupils.’ 

Katie Houghton, Head of School, said:  

“I am delighted to be able to share the outcome of our Ofsted report. We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome, which reflects the hard work and brilliance of our students, staff and whole school community. This report is a fair representation of what Didsbury High School is like – it is a joy to read – and we continue to move forward ‘determined that no limits are placed on what pupils can achieve’. 

The report goes on to praise the students and staff across a range of areas, which includes:  

  • Staff expertly design activities that help students to understand new content. 
  • Students are incredibly proud of the diversity in their school. 
  • Students value that they see themselves reflected in the curriculum. This sense of belonging helps students to feel happy in school. 
  • Students take an active role within the school community. 
  • Staff expertly design activities that help students to understand new content. 
  • The atmosphere in the school is calm and orderly.

The full report can be accessed here: Didsbury High School Ofsted Report 2024