Whalley Range 11-18 High School is a mainstream secondary school in Manchester for girls aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 251 of its 1,712 pupils (14.7%) were getting SEN support and 40 (2.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,712 pupils
- Girls only
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Manchester.
14.7% get SEN support
251 of 1,712 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
2.3% have an EHC plan
40 of 1,712 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty153
- Speech, language and communication44
- Social, emotional and mental health25
- Autism16
- Hearing impairment10
- Physical disability10
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Girls only
- Pupils
- 1,712 (places for 1,650)
- Headteacher
- Mr Michael Lea (Academy Headteacher)
- Part of
- Greater Manchester Education Trust
- Free school meals
- 55% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Manchester
- School reference (URN)
- 141264
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Manchester council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, October 2012; school remains Good (April 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in October 2012. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, April 2022).
Contact and getting there
Wilbraham Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8GW
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- William Hulme's Grammar School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.2 miles
- Old Moat Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.7 miles
- IncludEd Learning Independent · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- The Birches School Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Kentigern's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 15.1%, EHC plans 3.5% 0.5 miles
- Wilbraham Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12.1%, EHC plans 5% 0.5 miles
- CHS South Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 14%, EHC plans 5.1% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Manchester SEND schools in Manchester
Questions about Whalley Range 11-18 High School
How many pupils at Whalley Range 11-18 High School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 251 of the 1,712 pupils (14.7%) were getting SEN support and 40 (2.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Whalley Range 11-18 High School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (153 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (44 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (25 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Whalley Range 11-18 High School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Whalley Range 11-18 High School?
Through Manchester council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Whalley Range 11-18 High School?
You can ask for Whalley Range 11-18 High School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Whalley Range 11-18 High School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is William Hulme's Grammar School, about 0.2 miles away.
Where is Whalley Range 11-18 High School?
Wilbraham Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8GW, in Manchester.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.