| The Barlow Roman Catholic High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Didsbury / East Didsbury, Manchester, United Kingdom | |
| Information | |
| Type | Comprehensive, Catholic |
| Established | 1985 |
| Headteacher | Mrs McCarron |
| Deputy head | Mr H F Hanley |
| Teaching staff | 78 |
| Number of students | 885[1] |
| School Colour(s) | Maroon, White |
| Website | Barlow RC High |
The Barlow RC High School & Specialist Science College (known locally as just Barlow) is a well-known comprehensive educational institute, located in the south of Manchester, England. Dedicated to Saint Ambrose a local catholic martyr and saint, the school was established in 1985 after the merging of the Hollies RC High School for Girls and St Marks RC High School for Boys. The school is situated in Didsbury, a reasonably well-to-do suburb of Manchester.
The school has consistently performed well in OFSTED inspections and tests in which their pupils expectate to take. As the name suggests Barlow was recently awarded specialist status in science. The school has acted on this by offering a new variety of courses in science at GCSE. Also, Barlow has recently been awarded the Manchester Inclusion Standard for "being properly inclusive to all pupils".[2] The school was recognised as a specialist science college in early 2004.
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The school has a sports hall located in the centre of the school grounds and a large playground and field. Extra facilities include a comprehensive library.The Barlow building itself has around 90 rooms, including the Religion block (which was constructed around the year 2000), two dining areas, design technology workshops and a drama hall.
In comparison, the Barlow has a relatively small campus in comparison with other local high schools, which have recently gone under drastic transformations, such as Parrs Wood Technology College which is nearby, and the new Wright Robinson College in Gorton. However a major refurbishment and new building are planned for completion by 2012.
The Barlow RC High School are part of Wave 4 of the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme. The school will receive both new and refurbished buildings at an estimated cost of £11.2m over the next two years. It is envisaged that works will commence in April 2010 and that building works will be completed by the end of 2011.[3]
In 2008, the school reported financial difficulties after realising there was an operational £1 million deficit, which was the conclusion to an annual report for schools by Manchester City Council.[4] Investigators have ruled out fraudulent activity and instead the school is focusing on repaying the sum through smaller loans. A recent Ofsted inspection in November 2007 acknowledged the school have a 'relatively manageble' deficit but said financial management at the school was 'satisfactory'.[4]