Southern Cross School

This school has not been graded since it changed URN, usually on converting to an academy. The rating shown is from its predecessor, Southern Cross School, inspected in September 2023.

In 2024–25 pupils at Southern Cross School attended 59.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 79.4% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Southern Cross School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). 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 Southern Cross School had 7.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6).

Pupils per teacher

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 Southern Cross School had 165 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health; autistic spectrum disorder.

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 special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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

Southern Cross School is part of Ambition Community Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Greswell Primary School and Nursery Manchester
• Corrie Primary School Manchester
• Meade Hill School Manchester
• Gorse Hall Primary and Nursery School Stalybridge
• Millbrook Primary School Stalybridge

What is Southern Cross School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Southern Cross School is Good, from an inspection in September 2023 of its predecessor, Southern Cross School.

When was Southern Cross School last inspected by Ofsted?

Southern Cross School was last inspected in January 2025.

How many pupils does Southern Cross School have?

Southern Cross School has 165 pupils on roll.

What age range does Southern Cross School cover?

Southern Cross School for pupils aged 9 to 16.

Where is Southern Cross School?

Southern Cross School is at Roundwood Road, Northenden, Manchester, M22 4AB.