Laurus Cheadle Hulme Review 2026: Academic Excellence and Ambition

Laurus Cheadle Hulme opened its doors in 2018 as part of the Laurus Trust, quickly establishing itself as a powerhouse of academic ambition in the Stockport area. Serving approximately 1,050 students, the school occupies a modern, purpose-built campus on Cheadle Road. The school was designed to replicate the success of its founder school, Cheadle Hulme High School, and the results suggest it is meeting those high expectations.

In its first full graded inspection, Ofsted awarded the school Outstanding in all categories, a rare feat for a relatively new establishment. The atmosphere is one of high-octane academic focus, where the Laurus Trust’s non-negotiables regarding behaviour and standards are woven into the fabric of daily life. For families seeking a traditional, rigorous education within the state sector, this school has rapidly become a first-choice destination.

The environment at Laurus Cheadle Hulme is professional and purposeful. Students move between lessons with a level of order that reflects the school's high expectations. The architecture is sleek and modern, with glass-fronted specialist rooms and wide, bright corridors that lack the cluttered feel of older secondary schools.

Mr John Peet has served as Headteacher since September 2022, continuing the school's trajectory of high standards. The leadership emphasizes a culture where it is cool to be clever. This ethos is supported by a house system that encourages healthy competition and a sense of belonging. As part of the Laurus Trust, the school benefits from shared expertise and a proven blueprint for success, yet it has developed its own distinct identity within the Cheadle Hulme community. The 2023 Ofsted report confirmed this, noting that students are exceptionally proud of their school and conduct themselves with maturity and respect.

The school’s academic performance is well above the England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England (national strong band). Ranked 672nd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), it also sits at 3rd among secondaries in the Cheadle area.

Key metrics tell a story of significant value added:

• Progress 8 Score: +0.51. This indicates that students make half a grade more progress across their subjects than similar students in other schools in England.
• Attainment 8 Score: 54.6, compared to the England average of 46.2.
• EBacc Entry: 44.1% of students achieved Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate, significantly outperforming the England average of 17.1% for that specific tier.

These results are particularly impressive given the school’s relatively short history, demonstrating that the academic blueprint utilized by the Trust is functioning effectively here.

The curriculum is unapologetically academic, with a heavy emphasis on the EBacc subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, and Languages. Teaching follows a highly structured model designed to maximize retrieval and long-term memory. Lessons often begin with "Do Now" activities to consolidate prior learning.

The school operates a three-year Key Stage 3 to ensure students have a broad foundation before beginning GCSEs in Year 10. Specialist teaching is a hallmark of the school; Science is taught in high-spec laboratories, and the Mathematics department is noted for its rigorous approach to problem-solving. External assessments confirm that teachers have expert subject knowledge and use questioning effectively to challenge student thinking.

Where Students Go Next

As a 11-16 school, students transition to post-16 providers at the end of Year 11. A significant proportion of students aim for the Laurus Trust’s own sixth form provision at Cheadle Hulme High School, though others move to local sixth form colleges such as Cheadle College or Aquinas College.

The school provides a robust careers programme from Year 7 onwards, including encounters with employers and local universities. Because the school is focused on academic pathways, the majority of students progress to A-level or Level 3 vocational courses.

Laurus Cheadle Hulme is fiercely oversubscribed. The admissions data reveals that for the most recent intake, there were 1,507 applications for just 210 places. This equates to over 7 applications for every available seat, making it one of the most sought-after schools in Greater Manchester.

Admissions are coordinated by Stockport Council. Priority is given to looked-after children, siblings, and those attending highly specific feeder schools (including Cheadle Hulme Primary School, also part of the Trust). Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates, as the catchment area effectively shrinks to a very small radius once feeder school places are allocated. For the September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 31 October 2025, with offer day scheduled for early March 2026.

Fees & Financial Aid

Laurus Cheadle Hulme is a state-funded academy (specifically a Free School); therefore, there are no tuition fees for students. This distinguishes it from the nearby Cheadle Hulme School, which is an independent fee-paying institution. As a state school, it is funded directly by central government and admission is based on the local authority's criteria rather than the ability to pay. Families may still encounter small costs for items such as school uniforms, optional extracurricular trips, and individual music tuition.

Despite the high academic pressure, pastoral care is a documented strength. The school uses a Life curriculum to address personal, social, and health education, alongside a strong focus on mental health. Every student has a form tutor who serves as the primary point of contact, and the house system provides an additional layer of support.

The school’s approach to behaviour is warm-strict. Expectations are crystal clear, and while the rules are firm, the 2023 inspection noted that relationships between staff and students are based on mutual respect. This consistency provides a secure environment for students to focus on their studies.

The extracurricular offer, known as the Electives programme, is extensive and designed to build cultural capital. Students are encouraged to participate in at least one elective per week.

STEM Excellence

The school has a strong STEM focus, featuring clubs such as Robotics and the CREST Award scheme. Facilities for Science and Design Technology are industry-standard, allowing for complex project work that goes beyond the standard curriculum.

Creative Arts & Sport

Music and Drama are highly valued, with large-scale annual productions and a variety of instrumental ensembles. In sport, the school utilizes its excellent on-site facilities, including a large sports hall and all-weather pitches, for competitive fixtures in netball, football, and rugby. The Laurus Games is a major annual event where students compete across the Trust’s schools.

The school day typically runs from 8:25am to 3:00pm, with elective sessions often extending to 4:00pm. The school is located near major bus routes serving Cheadle and Stockport, though many local students walk or cycle. On-site parking for parents is extremely limited, and the school encourages the use of active travel for the daily commute.

• Fierce Competition for Places: With a subscription proportion of 7.32 applications per place, admission is the primary hurdle. Families living outside the immediate vicinity or not attending a feeder school may find it nearly impossible to secure a place.
• High Academic Pressure: The school is a high-performance environment. While this suits motivated students, those who prefer a more relaxed or vocational approach may find the pace and the non-negotiable standards demanding.
• No On-site Sixth Form: Unlike some local rivals, students must move schools at 16. While progression routes are well-mapped, the transition at 16 is a factor for families seeking an all-through secondary experience.

Laurus Cheadle Hulme is a modern success story in the state sector. It offers an education that is traditional in values but contemporary in execution, producing results that place it among the elite schools in Stockport. Best suited to academically ambitious students who thrive in a structured, high-expectation environment. The main challenge lies in admission rather than what follows.