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Schools in Oldham

A council (local authority) in the North West

  • Council
  • 205 schools and nurseries
  • 45,794 pupils
  • 7 towns and villages

In short: Most primary schools here are rated Good or better, fewer than across England. Results at 11 are below England, and results at 16 were below England in 2026. Attendance is close to the England figure.

Three children with backpacks crossing a street
A red-brick school building under a blue sky
7 towns

Oldham at a glance

Behind England on primary inspections

How Oldham's schools compare with England, area by area.

DfE and Ofsted data, 2014 to 2026How we work this out
  • Schools and nurseries20586 primary · 14 secondary · 77 nurseries
  • Primaries Good or better89%England 96%
  • Met the standard at 1158%England 62%
  • Grade 5 in English and maths39%Attainment 8 42.6, England 46.2
  • Free school meals, primary34%A sign of family income
  • Missed a lot of school19%England 18%
Top-rated

The highest-rated schools in Oldham

Primary and secondary schools are ranked by Eduscope score, which weighs up results, inspections, attendance and more. Nurseries, special and independent schools aren't ranked. A high score isn't everything: always visit.

All Oldham primary schools

Top Primary Schools in Oldham

86 mainstream schools in Oldham, best first

Buckstones Primary School

Oldham, OL2 8HN · State · Primary · Ages 4 to 11

  • Ofsted:Good or better

Results well above the England average.

37 first choices, 30 offers made

Met the standard at 1177%

England 62%

Days missed
3.5%
Pupils
207
Pupils per teacher
26.5
View school Buckstones Primary School
See all 99 primary schools

Top Secondary Schools in Oldham

14 mainstream schools in Oldham, best first

The Blue Coat CofE School

Oldham, OL1 3SQ · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 18

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Results well above the England average.

611 first choices, 232 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1657.0

England 46.2

Days missed
4.8%
Pupils
1,702
Pupils per teacher
16.5
View school The Blue Coat CofE School

E-ACT the Oldham Academy North

Oldham, OL2 5BF · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 16

  • Ofsted:Good

Results close to the England average.

83 first choices, 232 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1645.5

England 46.2

Days missed
6.3%
Pupils
1,258
Pupils per teacher
19.4
View school E-ACT the Oldham Academy North
See all 34 secondary schools

Nurseries in Oldham

77 in Oldham, highest Ofsted grade first

See all 77 nurseries

Sixth Forms in Oldham

11 in Oldham, by the school's Eduscope score

The Blue Coat CofE School

Oldham, OL1 3SQ · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 18

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Results well above the England average.

611 first choices, 232 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1657.0

England 46.2

Days missed
4.8%
Pupils
1,702
Pupils per teacher
16.5
View school The Blue Coat CofE School

North Chadderton School

Oldham, OL9 0BN · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 18

  • Ofsted:Good in every area

Results close to the England average.

288 first choices, 262 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1644.4

England 46.2

Days missed
8.1%
Pupils
1,524
Pupils per teacher
16.7
View school North Chadderton School
See all 11 sixth forms

Special Schools in Oldham

16 in Oldham. Eduscope doesn't rank these.

Hollinwood Academy

Oldham, OL8 3PT · Academy · All-through · Ages 4 to 19

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
12.6%
Pupils
294
Pupils per teacher
8.7
View school Hollinwood Academy

Kingfisher Special School

Oldham, OL9 9QR · Academy · Primary · Ages 4 to 11

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
8.7%
Pupils
218
Pupils per teacher
11.4
View school Kingfisher Special School

New Bridge School

Oldham, OL8 3PH · Academy · All-through · Ages 5 to 19

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
12.8%
Pupils
728
Pupils per teacher
10.0
View school New Bridge School
See all 16 special schools

Private Schools in Oldham

19 in Oldham. Eduscope doesn't rank these.

Bright Futures School

Oldham NOT BOLTON, OL3 7EU · Independent · All-through · Ages 5 to 16

  • Ofsted:Expected standard or better

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
15
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Bright Futures School

Chances Mentoring

Oldham, OL9 9JT · Independent · Secondary · Ages 11 to 16

  • Ofsted:Expected standard or better

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
17
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Chances Mentoring

Darul Hadis Latifiah Northwest

Oldham, OL8 1TJ · Independent · Secondary · Ages 11 to 16 · Boys

  • Ofsted:Good

Independent school. Results well below the England average.

Attainment 8 at 1634.7

England 46.2

Days missed
–
Pupils
67
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Darul Hadis Latifiah Northwest
See all 19 private schools
The map

Every school in Oldham, on one map

Each dot is a school or nursery, coloured by its latest Ofsted grade. Point at a dot to see its name, or use the list.

See them as a list
Show
The Chadderton Preparatory School, InspectedBeever Primary School, Expected standard or betterLimehurst Community Primary School, GoodGlodwick Infant and Nursery School, OutstandingMills Hill Primary School, Expected standard in every areaMather Street Primary School, Needs attention in 1 areaSouth Failsworth Community Primary School, GoodWhitegate End Primary and Nursery School, Good in every areaRushcroft Primary School, GoodPropps Hall Junior Infant and Nursery School, Outstanding in every areaDiggle School, GoodFriezland Primary School, GoodDelph Primary School, GoodKnowsley Junior School, Needs attention in 1 areaGreenfield Primary School, Good in every areaSpringhead Infant and Nursery School, Expected standard or betterBuckstones Primary School, Good or betterHorton Mill Community Primary School, Requires improvement in 2 areasBurnley Brow Community School, GoodStanley Road Primary School, GoodWoodhouses Voluntary Primary School, Expected standard in every areaChrist Church CofE Primary School, Needs attention in 4 areasSt Thomas Moorside CofE (VA) Primary School, GoodSt Agnes CofE Primary School, GoodSt Hilda's CofE Primary School, GoodSt Martin's CofE Junior Infant and Nursery School, Good or betterSt Margaret's CofE Junior Infant and Nursery School, GoodChrist Church CofE Primary School, GoodSt Luke's CofE Primary School, GoodEast Crompton St James CofE Primary School, Expected standard or betterSt Mary's CofE Primary School High Crompton, GoodSt Thomas' Leesfield CofE Primary School, GoodSt Anne's CofE Primary School, Requires improvement in 2 areasGreenfield St Mary's CofE School, GoodHulme Grammar School, InspectedBright Futures School, Expected standard or betterFarrowdale House School, InspectedCrompton Primary School, GoodYew Tree Community School, Requires improvement in 1 areaThe Grove Partnership, GoodHigher Failsworth Primary School, GoodBare Trees Primary School, GoodRoyton Hall Primary School, Good in every areaHoly Cross Ceva Primary School, GoodOasis Academy Oldham, GoodE-ACT the Oldham Academy North, GoodHodge Clough Primary School, GoodThe Hathershaw College, Needs attention in 3 areasThe Blue Coat CofE School, OutstandingThe Crompton House Church of England Academy, GoodOasis Academy Limeside, Requires improvementWestwood High, GoodDarul Hadis Latifiah Northwest, GoodNew Bridge School, OutstandingRichmond Academy, GoodCoppice Primary Academy, GoodRoundthorn Primary Academy, GoodHollinwood Academy, OutstandingGreenhill Academy, GoodSt Chad's Church of England Primary School, GoodWerneth Primary School, GoodNorth Chadderton School, Good in every areaAlt Academy, GoodWestwood Academy, OutstandingEast Crompton St George's CofE School, Good in every areaNorthmoor Academy, Good in every areaFreehold Community Academy, GoodLyndhurst Primary and Nursery School, Good in every areaMayfield Primary School, Requires improvementKingfisher Special School, OutstandingSpring Brook Academy, GoodHalcyon Way School, Good or betterSt Anne's CofE Lydgate Primary School, GoodWoodlands Primary Academy, Requires improvement in 1 areaWillowpark Primary Academy, GoodCo-op Academy Strinesdale, Requires improvement in 3 areasCo-op Academy Failsworth, GoodOldham Sixth Form College, GoodGreenacres Primary Academy, Strong standard or betterOasis Academy Leesbrook, GoodThe Springboard Project, GoodE-ACT Royton and Crompton Academy, Good or betterFuture Finders Employability College, GoodSMS Changing Lives School, Requires improvementSt John's Church of England Primary School, GoodOasis Academy Clarksfield, GoodGreater Manchester Independent School, InspectedThorp Primary School, GoodFir Bank Primary School, GoodBeal Vale Primary School, GoodMedlock Valley Primary School, GoodWestwood Boys School, GoodLittlemoor Primary School, Requires improvementThe Brian Clarke Church of England Academy, Good or betterSapience Girls Academy, GoodHoly Family RC Primary School, Expected standard in every areaSaint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy, Requires improvementBroadfield Primary School, Expected standard or betterSEE (Oldham), GoodTeenage Kicks, GoodSt Edwards Roman Catholic Primary, a Voluntary Academy, GoodSt Thomas CofE Primary School, GoodSt Hugh's CofE Primary School, Needs attention in 6 areasBlackshaw Lane Primary & Nursery School, Requires improvementHey-with-Zion Primary School, GoodEllen House Secondary, GoodAlexandra Park Junior School, Requires improvementChances Mentoring, Expected standard or betterSupreme Start Ltd, Safeguarding not metThornham St. James CofE Primary School, GoodSt Mary's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, GoodSaddleworth School, Requires improvementEdStart Schools Oldham and Rochdale, Expected standard in every areaPath 4, Needs attention in 6 areasSt Patrick's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, Requires improvementSt Matthew's CofE Primary School, GoodSt. Paul's CofE Primary School, GoodThe Radclyffe School, GoodHoly Rosary RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, GoodSt Herbert's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, GoodHoly Trinity CofE Dobcross Primary School, GoodCorpus Christi RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, OutstandingSt Joseph's RC Junior, Infant and Nursery School, A Voluntary Academy, GoodSt Anne's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, Requires improvementHolyrood Day Nursery Shaw, GoodKidz Matter Nursery (Oldham Arc Satellite), GoodRainbow Kabin Pre-School, GoodKidz Matter Day Nursery Limited, GoodJellybabies Ltd, GoodGiggle and Grow Oldham, GoodTeddies Day Nursery, GoodSunshine Nursery Chadderton Limited, GoodJack-In-A-Box Playgroup and Bee'Z Nee'Z Out Of School Club, GoodButtercup Corner Day Nursery, OutstandingHeathcot Pre-School Ltd, GoodThe Rises, GoodGreenacres Laugh 'N' Learn, GoodHeyside Pre-school, GoodPanda Pre-School, GoodStarfish Day Nursery, GoodSwan Meadow Cottage Day Nursery, OutstandingPremier Daycare, GoodOberlin Street Nursery, GoodShine A Light Day Nursery, GoodLimehurst Little Learners, GoodKids Planet Springhead, GoodChannings Childcare Ltd Royton, GoodYew Tree Pre-School, GoodBrighter Beginnings Nursery, GoodAmbrose Nook Nursery, GoodMather Street Pre-School, GoodSt Matthew's Playgroup, GoodSimon House Nursery and Pre-School, OutstandingGiggle and Grow Glodwick, GoodMoorside Stars, GoodA-Star Kids, GoodGolden Petals Pre-school Ltd, GoodSt. Anne's Pre-School, Royton Oldham Limited, GoodBroadway Day Nursery, GoodSunny Smiles Day Nursery, GoodThe Village Day Nursery, GoodSwan Meadow Private Day Nursery, OutstandingLearnaid Nursery, GoodFriezland Pre School, GoodBrooklands Day Nursery, GoodAdorable steps childcare limited, GoodTH Day Care Ltd t/a Shooting Stars Pre School Nursery, GoodCornerhouse Day Nursery, GoodThe Childcare Village, Requires improvementLees Laugh n Learn, GoodThe Childcare Village Preschool, Requires improvementBeal Vale Pre-School Nursery, GoodChannings Childcare Ltd Werneth, GoodButterflies, Expected standard or betterBrighter Beginnings Chadderton, GoodDaisy Chain Pre-School, GoodSaddleworth Stars, OutstandingKids Planet Newbank House, GoodMedlock Day Nursery, GoodHope Methodist Church Playgroup, GoodPanda Pre-School Coppice, GoodLeesfield Pre-School Group, GoodDiggle Day Nursery and Education Centre Ltd, GoodAppledore Private Day Nursery Ltd, OutstandingBaytree Park Private Day Nursery, GoodStarfish Preschool & Holiday Club, GoodThe Forest Tree Nursery, Expected standard or betterALEXANDRA PRESCHOOLAlders Day Nursery, Needs attention in 2 areasBeulah preschoolForest Friends Pre-School LtdDandelions Pre-schoolSwan Meadow Uppermill Private Day NurseryGreen-Forest Pre SchoolPlay Alma Mater, Expected standard or betterA-Star Kids ParkviewRed Robin Early Education Ltd.Maple Leaf Kindergarten, Needs attention in 1 areaALEXANDRA PRESCHOOL COLDHURSTThornycroft SchoolSt Theresa's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, GoodSs Aidan and Oswald's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, GoodMaple Leaf Primary SchoolJellybabies LtdGreenwood Kindergarten
  • Outstanding13
  • Good122
  • Requires improvement12
  • Not graded yet58
Your council

How school places work in Oldham

Apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another council's area. Independent schools take applications directly.

About Oldham

Oldham is a metropolitan borough in the North West with 86 mainstream primary schools and 14 mainstream secondary schools. Towns with the most schools include Oldham, Chadderton and Royton. 75.2% got their first-choice secondary school, against 83.6% across England.

Good to know in Oldham

  • Oldham's Family Information Service can help you find a childcare provider. Source
  • Oldham lists free childcare for children from 9 months to 4 years old. Source
  • Oldham's SEND Local Offer covers children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, including those without an EHC plan. Source
  • Wraparound childcare usually runs from 8am to 6pm in term time, on a school site or at another local venue. Source

From Oldham council's website, checked 7 November 2026. Check the council's pages before you apply.

Key dates each year

31 October
Secondary school applications close
15 January
Primary school applications close
1 March
Secondary school offers
16 April
Primary school offers

If a date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, offers go out the next working day.

92.0%got their first-choice primary school in Oldham in 2026. England: 92.4%. Ranked 92 of 151 councils. 98.2% got one of their top three.1.7% were offered a primary school in another council. England: 3.6%.

75.2%got their first-choice secondary school in Oldham in 2026. England: 83.6%. Ranked 119 of 151 councils. 94.5% got one of their top three.3.6% were offered a secondary school in another council. England: 8.0%.

Source: DfE applications and offers, 2026. A low rate shows high demand, not poor schools.

8 of 93 primary appeals heard in Oldham succeeded in 2025. 36 of 270 secondary appeals heard in Oldham succeeded in 2025.

Nearby councils

By age

What's on offer for each age

Pick a stage to see every Oldham school for that age, with filters for type, faith and Ofsted grade.

More ways to narrow it down

Here's how Oldham's schools break down by type, faith and more.

Towns

Schools in each part of Oldham

The blue bar is the average Eduscope score of the primary schools in each town. The black line is the Oldham average, 41.

Browse Oldham by postcode

Some areas, like parts of a bigger town, are easiest to find by postcode.

Oldham vs England

How good are Oldham's schools?

Inspections, exam results and attendance, next to the figure for England where we have it.

Numbers that sum up Oldham

OldhamEngland

  • Primaries rated Good or Outstanding

    Latest Ofsted grade, 61 primaries with one.

    89%

    England 96%

    Below England

  • Secondaries rated Good or Outstanding

    7 of the 9 with a grade.

    78%

    England 93%

    Below England

  • Met the expected standard at 11

    Reading, writing and maths.

    58%

    England 62%

    Below England

  • Grade 5 or above in English and maths

    At GCSE.

    39%

  • Pupils who miss a lot of school

    Missed 1 in 10 days or more. Lower is better.

    19%

    England 18%

    Close to England

  • Primary pupils on free school meals

    A sign of family income, not of school quality.

    34%

Ofsted grades

Latest graded inspection for the 86 schools that have one.

88%

Good or Outstanding

  • Outstanding7
  • Good69
  • Requires improvement10
  • Inadequate0

How it has changed

Oldham in blue. There were no tests in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid.

Met the expected standard at 11
Covid gap50%60%70%20182019202320242025
58% in 2025. England now 62% (dashed line).
Grade 5 or above in English and maths
30%40%50%201820192020202120222023202420252026
39% in 2026.
Pupils who miss a lot of school
Covid gap0%15%30%20142015201620172018201920212022202320242025
19% in 2025. England now 18% (dashed line).

The figures in full

The latest published year for each measure. Sources and years are on our data sources page.

MeasureOldhamEngland
Good or Outstanding (Ofsted)88%95%
Met the expected standard at 11 (KS2)58%62%
Attainment 842.646.2
Persistent absence19%18%
Pupils per teacher19.7:117.9:1
Spending per pupil£8,106£8,120
In education or work after 1691%91%
Went on to higher education63%56%
Pupils with special educational needs20%21%
Pupils with English as an additional language32%22%
Pupils on free school meals36%27%

DfE local authority code 353, ONS code E08000004.

Living here

What it's like for families

Oldham has 205 schools and nurseries across 7 towns and villages, the biggest being Oldham, Chadderton, Royton and Shaw.

There are 5% more pupils than in 2018.

34% of primary pupils here get free school meals. Schools get extra money for each of them.

Pupil numbers

Pupils in Oldham's state schools each January.

Up 5% since 2018. More children can mean popular schools fill up faster.

Free school meals

Out of every 10 primary pupils, how many get free school meals. It's a sign of family income, not of school quality.

Oldham34%

Keep up with schools in Oldham

Follow any school and we'll email you when it gets a new Ofsted report or new results are out. Nothing else.

Find a school to follow
Questions

Questions parents ask about Oldham

How many schools are in Oldham?

Oldham has 205 schools, including 99 primary schools, 34 secondary schools, 77 nurseries, 19 independent schools, 16 special schools. Some count in more than one group. You can browse each category using the filters on Eduscope.

What are the best schools in Oldham?

The highest-ranked schools in Oldham on Eduscope are The Blue Coat CofE School, Buckstones Primary School, Corpus Christi RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy. We rank each state school against schools of the same phase across England on its Ofsted inspection, results and attendance. Independent, special and nursery schools aren't ranked.

What percentage of schools in Oldham are rated Good or Outstanding?

88% of inspected schools in Oldham hold a Good or Outstanding Ofsted rating, which is below the England average of 94.8%. This includes 7 schools rated Outstanding and 69 rated Good.

How do primary schools in Oldham perform at Key Stage 2?

Across primary schools in Oldham, 58% of pupils meet the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths at Key Stage 2. This is based on the latest published results from the Department for Education.

What is the average pupil-teacher ratio in Oldham?

The average pupil-teacher ratio across schools in Oldham is 19.7:1. While not a direct measure of class size, this indicates the level of teaching resource available per pupil. Across England it is 17.9:1.

What is the persistent absence rate in Oldham schools?

The persistent absence rate across schools in Oldham is 18.9%. A pupil is classed as persistently absent if they miss 10% or more of school sessions. Across England it is 18.1%.

How many pupils attend schools in Oldham?

There are 45,794 pupils enrolled across schools in Oldham, with 25,826 in primary and 19,968 in secondary. 35.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals.

How many private schools are in Oldham?

There are 19 independent schools in Oldham. Fees vary by school and age group, with day school fees typically ranging from £10,000 to £20,000 per year. You can compare all private schools in Oldham on Eduscope, including ISI inspection ratings where available.

How do I choose the right school in Oldham?

Start by considering your child's age, your location, and whether you prefer a state or independent school. Use Eduscope to compare 205 schools in Oldham by Ofsted ratings, exam results, and distance. Filter by school type, gender, religious character, and admissions policy to narrow your options.

Sources: DfE school performance tables, DfE school census and workforce, DfE pupil absence, Ofsted. Photos are stand-ins.

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