Following the establishment of the comprehensive pattern in 1967, there was much discussion locally and nationally about mixed ability group teaching. Initially, the staff felt that this type of organisation at 1st year level required enthusiasm for and experience in that method. Consequently, it was not favoured, and ability forms were established, as outlined earlier. Eventually a "three band" system was used -above average, average and remedial- which generally produced 2 forms in the first category and 2 in the last, with the remaining forms in the middle category. Minor adjustments as necessary were made after annual examinations and this "three band" system worked well, but with the clear point that not enough boys and girls joined who could truly be classed as "above average". This system continued to the end of the 3rd year, after which the two year course to external examinations led to the option system, with "sets" or "groups" operating. Main examinations continued as usual in June, with other formal tests or examinations during the year. Reports were issued twice a year as before, becoming available on one of these occasions to parents on parents' evenings, or being sent by hand or post, depending on circumstances. Parents' evenings were held in February for the 1st, 5th and 6th years, and July for 2nd, 3rd and 4th years, although by 1979, these were re-divided into three occasions in the school year. Useful as these evenings were, with many interested parents attending, others neglected the opportunity. No doubt a small percentage were persuaded not to come, or were fearful of what they might hear.

In addition to the usual range of external examinations, R.S.A. (Commercial) Examinations were taken, and in November 1974, the school participated in preparatory work for the experimental Certificate of Extended Education (C.E.E.). This was a course and examination for those staying for a 6th year but not taking "A" Level. A certificate of success was awarded at the end, the grade achieved having some relation to C.S.E. grades. Papers were taken in General Science, and Mr. F.S. O'Donnell worked closely with the Authority in running a very successful experiment. The school also continued to support the Joint 16+ examination pilot scheme in Geography, Physics and Mathematics, with staff taking part in planning meetings, and papers were taken in these subjects at the appropriate time.

The overall pattern of examination results was not discouraging. At "'O" Level, there was a slight decline in the number of candidates, except for 1977. For the 4 years 1973 to 1976 the total percentage pass was between 48% and 44%. C.S.E. results were always very good. in 1974, there was a commendably high number of Grade 1 passes, yet in the following year this figure was doubled. In 1977, out of 144 in the 5th year who were available as candidates for one or both examinations, only 11 boys and 7 girls took no papers. "A" level results were variable. The majority of entries were for Mathematics and the three Sciences, with a high proportion of candidates not having English as their first language. A review of "A" Level results since 1967 is interesting. The highest number of candidates was 25 (1968 and 1970) and the smallest 11 (1975); The highest number of subject entries was 60 (1968) and 54 (1970), with the smallest-23 (1975). On a subject pass percentage basis, the worst years were in 1969 (24.2%) and 1976 (30.7%); the best were in 1970 (68.5%) and 1974 (70.3%). The best individual result was gained by Naomi Jupe (Senior Student 1977/78), who in the 1978 "A" Level examinations gained 'A's in Chemistry, Biology and General Studies and 'C' in Mathematics-results which won her a place at Leeds University to read Medicine, the first girl to do so from the school. The important thing about all these details is that those who left after taking "A" Level courses were nearly always well placed either in Further Education or employment. In the four years 1973 to 1976 24 boys and 18 girls went to Degree or Diploma courses, 8 of these being at Teacher Training Colleges.

As far as examination results were concerned, in the first years after 1967, there was the problem of the publication of "O" and "A" level results for the City, as a whole, school by school, in the Press. C.S.E. Regulations did not permit such a publication of detailed results. The inevitable comparisons between schools following the publication were unfair because the results were affected by quality of school intake, re-organisation and neighbourhood problems and the fact that some schools were re-organised from selective bases, whilst others had, as yet, no 6th forms. The Heads of the High Schools felt that for those early years, that style of publication would be unhelpful. In any event, most schools-and this happened at Nicholls Ardwick-published all their external examination results in their Speech Day programme, which all parents could receive. The Education Committee decided not to release the results by schools, although a comprehensive publication would have been acceptable, and this remains the policy.

In recent years, particularly since the raising of the school leaving age to 16 the continued attendance at school of many 5th formers after the conclusion of external examinations became patchy to say the least. The earlier practice of allowing "study leave" from Whitsuntide for the duration of the examination period continued. Now, however, the two examinations were at different times, with C.S.E. virtually over by Whitsuntide, and so the summer term, at least up to early July, was taken up by external examination activities of some sort. As a result of legislation for 1976, those who were eligible to leave school at the end of the school year were allowed to do so on what was in effect the last school day prior to the Spring Bank Holiday. Those with "O" Level papers still to take were required to resume until they were completed. 6th formers already beyond the statutory age, resumed and left as circumstances directed. This "staggered" system of leaving had its advantages yet it was in strong contrast to the "last day at school" experienced in earlier years, when there was a final assembly and leave-taking with mixed emotions and sentiments. It was, of course, possible for those who reached 16 by the beginning of February to leave at Easter, and, in fact, there were always a few who exercised this right.

School attendance figures both locally and nationally continued to give cause for concern. The school received fine support from the Chief Welfare Officer, Mr. B. Field, his colleague Mr. Chariton and the School Welfare Officer, Mr. Lawson, and on occasions the school was included in special surveys or "drives" to improve attendance in particular schools. The Headmaster submitted an annual report to Committee each May, and on this he indicated his concern about attendance figures, now lower that in the early 60's, when any figure below 90% was regarded with dismay. Careers work continued with fine co-operation from the Y.E.B. Officers attached to the school-Mr. Casey, Mr. Harris and Mrs Clarke. Both the R.A.F. and the Police showed careers films to the Seniors in 1975, and each year 6th formers made visits to Manchester University and to U.M.I.S.T.