- Location
- Lancashire
- Age range
- 3–19
- Attendance
- Day school
About St Bede's College
Schoolscout directory record ·
St Bede's College offers a vibrant and nurturing environment where academic excellence meets personal development. With a rich heritage and a commitment to...
Supplementary catalogue notes ·
St Bede's College Manchester was founded in 1876 by the Diocese of Salford as a Roman Catholic boys' school in the Whalley Range district of Manchester. The school became co-educational in the 1980s and today educates around 744 pupils ages 4-18. The Headmaster is John Boyle. The school is a member of the HMC and the CISC and is inspected by the ISI.
The school's most internationally significant alumnus is the novelist, composer and critic Anthony Burgess — Roman Catholic Manchester boy whose A Clockwork Orange (1962), filmed by Stanley Kubrick in 1971 and one of the canonical dystopian novels of the twentieth century, established him as among the most prolific and intellectually substantial English novelists of the post-war period. Burgess's broader output of around fifty novels, hundreds of essays and significant musical compositions made him a polymath comparable to Aldous Huxley or Lawrence Durrell. Burgess attended Xaverian College Manchester and St Bede's. The school operates a substantial bursary programme intended to provide educational access for Catholic and other Manchester families regardless of family means.
School life and highlights in the catalogue
- Founded 1876 by the Diocese of Salford — 150-year history
- Co-educational since 1980s
- ≈744 pupils ages 4-18
- Set in central Whalley Range, Manchester
- HMC and CISC member
- Most internationally famous alumnus: Anthony Burgess, novelist
- Substantial bursary programme
- 744-pupil community
- Roman Catholic foundation
- A-Level A*-B*: 37% achieve AAB+
- HMC member (top-tier UK independent)
Education and school life
- Education levels
- Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior, Sixth Form
- Age range
- 3–19
- Attendance
- Day school
- Pupil intake
- Co-educational
- School type
- Mainstream
- Religious ethos
- Roman Catholic
- Listed inspectorate
- ISI
Subjects and qualifications
- Theology
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- Modern languages
- Sport (rugby, cricket)
- Music
- Sport
- Outdoor
Listed memberships and accreditations
- HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference)
- CISC (Catholic Independent Schools Conference)
- ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate)
Progression and destinations in the catalogue
- Oxbridge
- Russell Group (Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds)
- Medical schools
- Pontifical universities
- Edinburgh / St Andrews
Alumni notes
- Anthony Burgess (novelist — A Clockwork Orange 1962; The Doctor Is Sick; Earthly Powers)
- Old St Bedeans active in Manchester Catholic life and the professions
Supporting school records
These dated records may contain different information. Ask our team about current details.
Supplementary catalogue notes ·
- Headteacher / principal
- John Boyle (Headmaster)
- Founded
- 1876
- Campus setting
- Urban
- Scholarships / bursaries
- Options indicated; confirm availability and eligibility.
Pupil information
- Total pupils
- 744
- Boys
- 435 · 58.47%
- Girls
- 309 · 41.53%
- Pupils receiving SEN support
- 120 · 16.13%
- Pupils with an EHCP
- 2 · 0.27%
Counts and percentages are reproduced from the directory. SEN means special educational needs; EHCP means Education, Health and Care Plan. A pupil census year is not supplied.
A-Level results
- Results year
- 2025
- Progress score
- -0.16 (Average)
- Average grade
- B
- AAB percentage
- 37.10%
Results refer to the year shown. The directory does not provide a cohort size or a full methodology for these measures.
Tuition and costs
The fee year is not specified. Ask our team about current fees, VAT and included services.
Schoolscout directory record ·
| Attendance | GBP · Period and VAT unverified |
|---|---|
| Day | £3,498 – £4,887.6 |
Current fees and VAT treatment require confirmation from the school. Directory labels are not a verified school quotation.
Check whether boarding, meals, registration, deposits, examinations, trips and guardian arrangements are included. Amounts are in pounds sterling (GBP), without currency conversion.
Ask about current feesPlanning your application
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Read the directory’s school and admissions questions below.
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Explore MEC guidanceQuestions in the school directory
Schoolscout directory record ·
What type of school is St Bede's College?
St Bede's College is a co-educational independent mainstream school for pupils aged 3 to 19, located in Lancashire. The school offers education from Nursery through to Sixth Form, with pathways leading to GCSEs and A Levels.
How do I apply to St Bede's College?
Historical directory text below. Its fees, billing period and VAT have not been verified with the school.
The admissions process usually starts well in advance of entry and may involve assessments and interviews. The school admissions timeline guide outlines key stages and deadlines.
What are the fees at St Bede's College?
Historical directory text below. Its fees, billing period and VAT have not been verified with the school.
The cost of attending St Bede's College typically ranges around £3,498–£4,887 per term, with variations based on age and boarding.
Is St Bede's College a day or boarding school?
Pupils at St Bede's College can attend as day.
Is St Bede's College selective?
St Bede's College follows a selective admissions process, which may include interviews or entrance assessments.
Earlier school research
Earlier background notes are preserved here alongside the school profile. They describe the source record at the time; staff, memberships and study options may have changed.
Saved background research2026-05-31
Earlier school information · original English text
St Bede's College Manchester is a Catholic independent co-ed school.
- Founded in saved research
- 1876
- Campus setting in saved research
- urban
- Leadership in saved research
- Richard Robson (Head)
- Religious ethos in saved research
- Roman Catholic
Subjects in the saved record
- Theology
- Sciences
- Mathematics
Education pathways in the saved record
- Russell Group
School-life notes
- Catholic independent co-ed, Manchester
Recorded memberships
- HMC
- ISI
School location and enquiries
- Street address
- Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester
- County
- Lancashire
- Region
- North West
- Postcode
- M16 8HX
- Country
- United Kingdom
Talk to our team about this school, current fees and your application.
Enquire about this schoolView the school locationAlexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester, Lancashire, North West, M16 8HXSchoolscout directory record ·
Supplementary catalogue notes ·
Additional source record ·
Collection and catalogue update dates are shown above; they are not fee years or pupil census dates. Source text is retained in its original language. The school’s official information takes precedence for current admissions, programmes and fees.