Connell Co-Op College

Connell Co-op College is maintaining its status as a good provider since its last inspection in January 2018. The college serves 761 students aged 16 to 19, offering a diverse curriculum that includes both A-levels and vocational courses. Inspectors noted that students develop strong confidence and independence through practical learning experiences and community engagement, leading to high levels of motivation and exemplary behavior. The institution has effective processes in place for monitoring educational quality and student progress, ensuring that most students successfully transition to further education or employment. Noteworthy strengths include the ambitious curriculum that allows students to build knowledge progressively, effective use of assessments by teachers, and high-quality careers guidance that supports students in planning for their futures. However, there are areas for improvement, notably the need for increased student retention in A-level courses and further enhancement of teaching skills among A-level instructors to ensure all students can achieve their full potential.

Strengths

• Students exhibit exemplary behavior and high respect for staff and peers.
• Curriculums are ambitious and logically planned, supporting gradual knowledge acquisition.
• Teachers effectively use assessments to consolidate learning.
• Students benefit from high-quality, impartial careers education and guidance.
• All weaknesses from the previous inspection have been addressed.

Areas for Improvement

• Need to increase student retention on A-level courses.
• Need to further develop teaching skills of A-level teachers.

In 2024–25, 7.8% of pupils at Connell Co-Op College were suspended at least once (nationally 7.3%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Connell Co-Op College had 22.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for secondary schools was 16.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 14.8% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.1%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 5.4% of pupils at Connell Co-Op College were on SEN support (nationally 14.1%) and 1.1% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 3.5%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded secondary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Connell Co-Op College received £6,590 and spent £6,506 for each of its 836 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £332,000 (£398 per pupil).

Across all 40 schools of The Co-Operative Academies Trust, income was £9,737 and spending £9,467 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Manchester · Manchester local authority: places and applications

Connell Co-Op College is part of The Co-Operative Academies Trust, which runs 40 schools. The nearest others:

• Co-op Academy Belle Vue Manchester
• Co-op Academy New Islington Manchester
• Co-op Academy Medlock Manchester
• Co-op Academy Broadhurst Manchester
• Co-op Academy Failsworth Manchester
• Co-op Academy North Manchester Manchester
• Co-op Academy Manchester Manchester
• Co-op Academy Swinton Manchester
• Co-op Academy Strinesdale Oldham
• Co-op Academy Walkden Manchester

What is Connell Co-Op College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Connell Co-Op College is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Connell Co-Op College last inspected by Ofsted?

Connell Co-Op College was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Connell Co-Op College have?

Connell Co-Op College has 918 pupils on roll.

What age range does Connell Co-Op College cover?

Connell Co-Op College for pupils aged 16 to 19.

Where is Connell Co-Op College?

Connell Co-Op College is at 301 Alan Turing Way, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M11 3BS.