Tytherington School Review 2026: A State Academy with Rising Ambition

The school traces its history back to an independent girls' school founded in the 1860s, but it was founded on its current site in the early 1950s, and became a mixed-sex school in the 1970s. Today, Tytherington School operates as a non-selective academy serving approximately 1,425 young people aged 11 to 18 across a thriving sixth form. Located in Macclesfield, the school sits in an area well-served by transport links and serves the North West region. With houses named Oak, Ash and Elm, in recognition of the traditional royal hunting woodlands in the Macclesfield area , the school brings a structured pastoral system to its comprehensive intake. Recent inspections have moved the goalposts for state schools, but what matters most to parents is performance: Tytherington's A-level results place it in the top 20% of schools in England (FindMySchool data), whilst GCSE outcomes, though middling nationally, show solid student progress. The sixth form has become a particular area of strength, with results consistently placing it among England's better-performing post-16 settings.

Macclesfield town centre sits within easy reach of the Manchester Road campus, and the school maintains a visible presence in the local community. Tytherington School is delighted to announce that its headteacher, Manny Botwe, has been appointed as the new President of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). His appointment since 2015 has shaped a school increasingly confident in its direction. Mr Botwe, who has been the Headteacher of Tytherington School since 2015, brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality education. The senior leadership team includes Helen Pugh as Deputy Headteacher for Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Andy Pilbury as Senior Deputy for Raising Standards, and specialists in inclusion, drama, and post-18 progression. This breadth of expertise translates into visible structures: the house system creates vertical tutor groups mixing year groups, fostering mentoring relationships and shared identity.

The campus itself has benefited from sustained investment. The school includes a £1 million Sports Hall sponsored by the National Lottery and multi-discipline technology block.

A £3.1 million capital building programme included a new 10 classroom block, called the Jubilee Block, that was completed in summer 2012. Beyond the classroom, community bookings confirm the school opens its facilities for drama productions, musical events, and sports leagues, reflecting an institution at ease with its local role.

Students describe the school as calm and purposeful. There is no evident stress culture; rather, high standards are presented as achievable through effort. The uniform (maroon blazer with school crest) maintains a sense of occasion without being ostentatious. Year groups move through clear progression routes, and pastoral staff know their cohorts well.

GCSE Performance

In April 2022 the school was rated 'Good' by Ofsted. For GCSE outcomes, the data tells a mixed story. In 2024, 25% of grades achieved were 9-7 (against an England average of 54%), with 13% reaching the top grades of 9-8. The Attainment 8 score of 49.9 sits marginally above the England average of 45.9, indicating that whilst individual strong grades exist, the cohort's overall breadth of achievement is modest. Progress 8 stands at +0.09, placing pupils in line with expected progress from their prior attainment. The school ranks 1,558th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), sitting in the middle 35% of schools nationally (34th percentile), which reflects solid performance in line with England's typical comprehensive range.

Locally, the picture is stronger. Ranked 4th among Macclesfield secondaries, Tytherington outperforms some neighbouring alternatives. The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) shows 23% achieving grades 5 or above, a competitive figure for a comprehensive school. This suggests breadth of entry across academic subjects, a strength often associated with well-structured curriculum.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form has become the school's flagship. The most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2022 described the Sixth Form as 'especially strong'. A-level results confirm this trajectory. At FindMySchool, the school ranks 518th in England for A-level outcomes, placing it in the top 20% of schools nationally (20th percentile). This represents a significant step above GCSE performance, suggesting students make strong progress between ages 16 and 18. Breaking down the grades: 62% achieved A*-B (against an England average of 47%), with 13% reaching A* and 23% achieving A grades. This is well above national performance and indicates rigorous teaching in the upper school.

Locally, the sixth form ranks 2nd in Macclesfield, confirming its reputation as the area's strongest post-16 provider alongside the town's grammar school.

University Destinations

The academic results of the Sixth Form are consistently amongst the best in the country. In the 2023-24 cohort, 53% of leavers progressed to university, 26% entered employment, 5% started apprenticeships, and 4% continued into further education. Of the 77 leavers recorded, 1 student secured a place at Cambridge (the sole Oxbridge success), whilst 8 students submitted Oxbridge applications in total. This reflects the school's accessible but not over-selective intake; Oxbridge pursuit is present but modest. The sixth form's strength lies in consistent Russell Group placement and progression to competitive universities offering vocational and professional pathways.

The curriculum at Tytherington follows the national framework with clear specialisation pathways at KS4 and KS5. An extensive curriculum enables the school to meet the wide range of interests and aspirations students have. Teaching staff are subject specialists, with teachers in the Sixth Form having exceptional subject knowledge and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed. Class sizes at GCSE average around 28; A-level teaching often occurs in smaller sets of 12-18 students, allowing for more personalised feedback.

The school has invested heavily in digital capability, with all students accessing Office 365 tools and learning management platforms. The Learning Resource Centre serves as a hub for independent study and research, and IT is integrated across most subjects. Science teaching is delivered to separate specifications for biology, chemistry, and physics, indicating departmental strength and the ability to stretch higher-ability students.

Differentiation is explicitly planned. The school designates an "Advanced Learner" pathway for its most able students, with enrichment opportunities flagged by subject departments. Concurrently, SEND support is available through the LS Hub, which provides specialist intervention for pupils with learning, behavioural, or medical difficulties. The school's inclusive reputation is well-established, and staff retention in pastoral roles is notably high.

The house system (Oak, Ash, Elm) creates a vertical pastoral structure in which tutors oversee pupils across three year groups. This model is known to support peer mentoring and a sense of belonging. The school combines exceptionally high academic standards with personalised pastoral support to enable all students to be the best they can be. In the sixth form, pastoral tutoring becomes even more personal; students receive bespoke and expert guidance from highly experienced Sixth Form tutors.

Mental health support is embedded. The school employs a designated mental health lead teacher and offers counselling services. The LGBTQ+ Group meets weekly to provide support and a safe space, reflecting the school's commitment to inclusion. Behaviour is calm and consistent, underpinned by clear expectations and a non-punitive restorative approach where possible.

First-aid trained staff are present throughout the day. A supervised study space is available at lunchtimes and after school, removing barriers to homework completion for pupils without home study facilities. The school acknowledges pressures on families and offers resources to support wellbeing across its community.

Extracurricular life at Tytherington is intentionally broad and deliberately managed to avoid reducing school life to sport or single disciplines. The school publishes a structured timetable of clubs rotating seasonally, enabling students to sample activities rather than over-committing to one path.

Music and Performance

The school maintains active music tuition provision, with LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) drama tuition available as a formal programme. The Head of Drama joined Tytherington School in 2008 as Head of Performing Arts and a member of the sixth form team, and combines her time as Head of KS5 Post-18 Progression and Head of Drama. Music ensembles are listed in the extracurricular timetable, though specific ensemble names (such as choir, orchestra, or band) are not detailed in the published schedule. Drama productions feature in school bookings, confirming theatrical activity occurs throughout the year, including sixth form-led productions.

Sports and Physical Activity

The school boasts significant sporting infrastructure. The campus includes a £1 million Sports Hall sponsored by the National Lottery. Beyond the hall, outdoor provision encompasses a floodlit artificial grass pitch (66m x 104m), used for football and hockey; a smaller hall (21m x 11.5m) for netball, basketball, and badminton; and cricket provision (though upgrades are planned). A new sports pavilion is currently under construction, adding contemporary changing facilities, a viewing gallery, and additional classrooms.

Sports teams are regularly selected and compete at district and county levels. The Head of PE joined Tytherington in 2005. He is an exceptional cricketer and was given the opportunity to take a sabbatical in 2011-12 to play and coach cricket in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about providing a wide range of educational and extra-curricular activities for all students. This leadership ensures sport is accessible to all ability levels, not just elite performers. Fixtures run regularly; students describe a culture in which sporting participation is encouraged across all year groups.

Academic and Social Clubs

The published clubs timetable reveals a school serious about student voice and intellectual engagement. Chess Club meets weekly. Debate Club (Year 9 and above) meets Friday lunchtimes. Classics Society explores history, mythology, and culture of the ancient world. The KS3 Book Club fosters reading habits, whilst the MakerSpace Club allows pupils to use tools and equipment for project creation. Student Parliament provides formal student governance; the Eco-Committee develops environmental initiatives; and an LGBTQ+ Group offers support and works on inclusion projects.

The Tythy Challenge is a unique feature, an award scheme embodying five school values (Articulate, Resilient, Courageous, Curious, and Strive). Pupils can accrue badges and recognition by completing activities aligned to these values, ranging from outdoor challenges to wellbeing activities to community service. This gamified approach to character development encourages participation across all cohorts.

Duke of Edinburgh

Many students are actively involved in the highly successful Duke of Edinburgh scheme. The programme is well-established and supported by clear progression pathways from Bronze to Gold. Sixth form students often take leadership roles as expedition helpers and assessors.

Sixth Form Leadership

The school seeks to develop future leaders. Sixth form students are expected to develop their talents in music, drama and sport as well as support both the school and wider community through their volunteer work. Young Enterprise is offered, providing entrepreneurship experience. Links with local businesses facilitate work experience placements and apprenticeship pathways, particularly for students not pursuing university entry.

Entry at Year 7

The school is non-selective. Tytherington School follows the same school applications timetable as the Cheshire East Local Authority. Places are allocated through the coordinated admissions process run by the local authority. In recent years, the school has been oversubscribed at entry, with approximately 1.75 applications per place (420 applications for 240 Year 7 places in the most recent published round). This means distance from school becomes a practical factor, though no formal catchment boundary is published.

First-preference acceptance rates suggest that families applying to Tytherington as their genuine first choice are generally accommodated. However, families relying on the school as a backup place may not be allocated unless they live very close to the Manchester Road campus.

The school accepts all abilities and offers no entrance test. Transition from primary is managed through a structured summer programme, with visits, meet-the-staff sessions, and Year 6 workshops helping new pupils settle. Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are welcomed; the school's LS Hub provides intensive support for pupils with identified learning needs.

Entry to Sixth Form

External candidates can apply to the sixth form. Entry requirements are not published as rigid thresholds, but the school expects GCSE achievement broadly at grade 5 or above in chosen A-level subjects. For example, A-level mathematics typically requires grade 6-7 at GCSE; languages, sciences, and humanities follow similar patterns. Students with lower GCSE grades are considered on a case-by-case basis, particularly if they have shown clear subject engagement.

Distance and Transport

No distance figures are published. The school is accessible via bus services running through Macclesfield; families with cars can use surrounding streets, though parking at peak hours is challenging. The site sits approximately 15 minutes' walk from Macclesfield town centre and is served by local bus routes.

The school day runs from 8:45am registration to 3:05pm (with some sixth form lessons extending to 4:05pm). The timetable totals 32 hours and 40 minutes per week during standard term. Lunch is 50 minutes, and two breaks are provided.

No formal wraparound care (breakfast club or after-school childcare) is advertised on the school website, though supervised study space is available at lunchtimes and after school in the Sixth Form Study Room and Learning Resource Centre until 4pm daily. Students are expected to make their own way home after school; sixth form students have greater flexibility to leave site during free periods.

Uniform is compulsory: maroon blazer with school crest, white shirt, school tie, black trousers or skirt, black leather shoes. Jumpers may be worn under the blazer. Tights are permitted for girls. The uniform policy is strictly enforced at gates.

Music lessons can be arranged; specific tuition costs are not listed on the website. Visits, outdoor learning, and Duke of Edinburgh all incur additional charges communicated to parents in advance.

Oversubscription at entry. With 1.75 applications per place, securing a Year 7 place requires careful consideration of distance and timing of application submission. Families should check proximity to the school early in their research to determine realistic admissions chances.

GCSE performance is middling nationally. Whilst the school's progress measure (+0.09) indicates pupils make expected progress, the raw GCSE grades (25% achieving 9-7) place the school around the middle of the national distribution. This reflects a genuinely comprehensive intake with a broad ability range. Families expecting grammar-school-equivalent GCSE outcomes should be realistic about this school's profile.

Sixth form is the clear strength. The school invests substantially in post-16 education, with A-level results notably stronger than GCSE. If you are considering Y7 entry with sixth form progression in mind, this is a consideration; if you are seeking a school exclusively for KS4, other local alternatives may better suit.

A-level subject range is standard, not exceptional. The school offers approximately 26 A-level subjects. This is a good range but not as extensive as larger sixth forms at nearby grammar schools or independent colleges. Families with very specific subject needs (e.g., classical civilisation, music technology) should verify availability before applying.

Tytherington School is a well-run, solidly achieving comprehensive that has invested visibly in buildings, staff, and student experience over the past decade. It is not an exceptional GCSE performer, but it is a genuine pillar of its local community, with A-level results that place it among England's stronger state-school sixth forms. The pastoral structure is warm and inclusive; behaviour is calm; and staff retention suggests a stable, purposeful culture. The school suits families who value a non-selective, inclusive ethos, strong sixth form outcomes, and a school genuinely rooted in its local area. It works well for students who are steady and engaged, benefit from clear structures and high-quality pastoral support, and are willing to work hard across all subjects. Students seeking an ultra-selective environment or grammar-school-equivalent GCSE outcomes should look to alternatives.