St Bede's College
· M16 8HX
St Bede's College is Manchester's only Catholic HMC independent school, founded in 1876 by Cardinal Vaughan and rooted in a 150-year tradition of Christian education. It offers a family-oriented, all-through education (ages 3–18) with a strong emphasis on virtue, character development, and holistic pupil growth. The school positions itself at the intersection of Catholic faith values and rigorous academic study, serving a diverse Manchester community through day education only.
- →Established Catholic ethos with 150-year heritage and HMC membership, providing clear values framework
- →All-through provision from age 3, reducing transition disruption and building strong community cohesion
- →Explicit character and leadership curriculum (Virtue and Leadership Programmes) alongside academic rigour
Who thrives here
Families seeking a values-driven, Catholic-informed education in a family atmosphere; pupils who respond well to house-based pastoral systems and character formation; those looking for continuity from Nursery through to A-level without boarding pressures.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester
M16 8HX
Nearest stations
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at St Bede's College?
Day fees at St Bede's College are approximately £17,007 per year (2025/26).
How do you get into St Bede's College?
St Bede's College admits pupils at 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are St Bede's College's exam results?
At St Bede's College, 37.1% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 32.8% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is St Bede's College a boarding school?
St Bede's College is a day school in England and does not offer boarding.
What is St Bede's College's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated St Bede's College “Good” (2019).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Family atmosphere and sense of community across all-through provision
✓Strong Catholic values framework and character development approach
✓Personalised recognition of individual pupils ('every student is recognised and valued wholeheartedly')
Common concerns
!Not yet inspected by Ofsted, so no independent assessment of educational quality or safeguarding available to prospective parents