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Local authority · North West

Schools in Rochdale

  • 91State-funded schools
  • 70Primary
  • 13Secondary
  • 5Special
  • North WestRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
87%
3 pts above England (84%)
2,860 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
89%
3 pts below England (92%)
2,831 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
2.7
0.5 above England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
10of 91 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in Rochdale
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
87%got their first choice
3 pts above England (84%)

2,860 applicants · 3.0% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 87%; England 84%
  2. 2025 86%; England 84%
  3. 2024 86%; England 83%
  4. 2023 85%; England 83%
  5. 2022 90%; England 83%
  6. 2021 85%; England 81%
  7. 2020 87%; England 82%
  8. 2019 88%; England 81%
  9. 2018 88%; England 82%
  10. 2017 94%; England 83%
  11. 2016 93%; England 84%
  12. 2015 91%; England 84%
  13. 2014 96%; England 85%
  • Rochdale
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,86086.8%96.5%3.0%
Sep 20253,00685.7%95.1%4.2%
Sep 20243,14485.8%94.8%4.6%
Sep 20233,16185.2%95.5%4.2%
Sep 20223,00690.4%97.3%2.4%
Sep 20212,89684.9%95.7%3.7%
Sep 20202,96286.7%95.3%4.2%
Sep 20193,00787.9%95.9%3.8%
Sep 20182,94988.3%95.7%4.0%
Sep 20172,71193.7%98.2%1.5%
Sep 20162,52592.6%97.3%2.3%
Sep 20152,56790.9%97.7%2.1%
Sep 20142,39096.1%99.1%0.7%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
89%got their first choice
3 pts below England (92%)

2,831 applicants · 2.3% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 89%; England 92%
  2. 2025 92%; England 93%
  3. 2024 94%; England 93%
  4. 2023 91%; England 92%
  5. 2022 93%; England 92%
  6. 2021 91%; England 92%
  7. 2020 92%; England 90%
  8. 2019 93%; England 91%
  9. 2018 90%; England 91%
  10. 2017 89%; England 90%
  11. 2016 89%; England 88%
  12. 2015 89%; England 88%
  13. 2014 90%; England 88%
  • Rochdale
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,83189.2%97.3%2.3%
Sep 20252,65291.7%97.8%1.8%
Sep 20242,61993.6%98.9%1.0%
Sep 20232,84391.4%98.2%1.3%
Sep 20222,73592.8%99.4%0.6%
Sep 20212,85290.9%98.3%1.3%
Sep 20202,80292.0%98.3%1.3%
Sep 20192,84692.6%98.0%1.9%
Sep 20182,90189.9%96.4%3.5%
Sep 20172,93688.9%96.3%3.7%
Sep 20162,98089.0%95.9%4.1%
Sep 20152,85288.8%96.0%4.0%
Sep 20142,81889.6%96.5%3.5%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 10 schools of 91 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years (6)
  • Post-16 provision (1)
  • Leadership and governance

One dot per school.

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 68 schools · graded 2011 to 2024

  • Outstanding7
  • Good55
  • Requires improvement5
  • Inadequate1

Includes grades confirmed by a later ungraded inspection. Not comparable with report cards.

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 11 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education182–
Behaviour and attitudes281–
Personal development281–
Leadership and management1811

Not yet inspected (new or reorganised schools): 2.

Latest report cards

Every new report card, month by month · RSS for Rochdale

Secondary schools in Rochdale

13 schools · Year 7 entry 2026

Change the order (visual only)

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sorted by Attainment 8, highest first.

Sorted by the date of the latest Ofsted inspection, newest first.

Sorted by name.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeAttainment 8FSM
Holy Family Roman Catholic and Church of England College Faith 2026 3.0 applications per place 51.8 21%
Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School Faith 2026 2.9 applications per place 46.0 25%
St Anne's Church of England Academy Faith Good2024 2.9 applications per place 43.3 48%
St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy Faith Requires improvement2022 2.8 applications per place 37.9 43%
Matthew Moss High School Remains Good2024 2.8 applications per place 41.9 44%
Oulder Hill Leadership Academy Graded · no overall grade2025 2.8 applications per place 45.8 36%
Hollingworth Academy Good2022 2.7 applications per place 50.6 30%
Edgar Wood Academy 2026 2.6 applications per place 41.4 43%
Kingsway Park High School Some aspects not as strong2025 2.4 applications per place 39.2 50%
Falinge Park High School Remains Good · concerns noted2023 2.2 applications per place 43.2 49%
Wardle Academy Remains Good2022 2.1 applications per place 44.6 30%
Newhouse Academy Requires improvement2023 1.8 applications per place 44.0 43%
Dixons Middleton Academy Remains Good · concerns noted2024 1.7 applications per place 41.9 33%

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

Primary schools in Rochdale

70 schools · Reception entry 2026

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeSATs standardFSM
Caldershaw Primary School Outstanding2024 7.6 applications per place – 10%
St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary School, Rochdale Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 5.5 applications per place 59% 13%
All Souls Church of England Primary School Faith Outstanding2023 4.8 applications per place 87% 19%
Parkfield Primary School Good2023 4.7 applications per place 63% 34%
St Michael's Church of England Primary School, Bamford Faith Outstanding2024 4.6 applications per place 76% 7%
Milnrow Parish Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 4.6 applications per place 63% 28%
Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 4.3 applications per place 71% 18%
Brimrod Community Primary School Remains Good · concerns noted2024 4.2 applications per place 68% 35%
St John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Faith Remains Good2024 4.0 applications per place – 25%
Ashfield Valley Primary School Good2023 3.9 applications per place 83% 30%
St Luke's Church of England Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 3.6 applications per place 67% 31%
Norden Primary Academy Remains Good2023 3.6 applications per place – 14%
St Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School Faith Good2023 3.5 applications per place 66% 41%
Alkrington Primary School Remains Good2023 3.5 applications per place 73% 16%
St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Balderstone Faith Remains Good2022 3.4 applications per place – 44%
St Michael's Church of England Primary School, Alkrington Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 3.3 applications per place 65% 8%
Hopwood Community Primary School Outstanding2024 3.1 applications per place 68% 18%
Healey Foundation Primary School Standards maintained2025 3.1 applications per place 73% 23%
Heap Bridge Village Primary School Remains Good2023 3.1 applications per place – 27%
Hamer Community Primary School Remains Good · improving2024 3.0 applications per place 55% 58%
St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Faith Remains Good2021 3.0 applications per place – 19%
St James' Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 2.9 applications per place 57% 30%
St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Middleton Faith Good2023 2.9 applications per place 48% 30%
Bamford Academy Remains Good2023 2.9 applications per place 50% 16%
Kentmere Primary Academy Remains Outstanding2024 2.9 applications per place 71% 40%
Hollin Primary School Good2024 2.8 applications per place 66% 35%
St John's Church of England Primary School, Thornham Faith Remains Good2022 2.8 applications per place 56% 11%
St Gabriel's Roman Catholic Primary School, Rochdale Faith Good2024 2.8 applications per place 48% 14%
Whittaker Moss Primary School Good2023 2.8 applications per place 74% 6%
All Saints Church of England Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.7 applications per place 69% 32%
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Faith Remains Good2024 2.7 applications per place – 27%
Smithy Bridge Foundation Primary School Good2023 2.7 applications per place 59% 8%
Moorhouse Academy Good2023 2.7 applications per place 55% 44%
St Vincent De Paul Roman Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Faith Requires improvement2023 2.6 applications per place – 18%
Stansfield Hall Church of England / Methodist Church Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.6small intake applications per place 37% 39%
St Thomas More Roman Catholic Primary School, Middleton, Rochdale Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.6 applications per place 51% 14%
Deeplish Primary Academy Standards maintained2025 2.6 applications per place 71% 38%
Lowerplace Primary School Remains Good2024 2.6 applications per place 41% 34%
Castleton Primary School 2026 2.6 applications per place 55% 32%
Holy Family Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Faith Standards maintained2025 2.5 applications per place – 31%
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School and Nursery Faith 2026 2.5 applications per place 76% 20%
Boarshaw Community Primary School Remains Good2022 2.5 applications per place 56% 41%
Greenbank Primary School Good2022 2.4 applications per place 66% 34%
Broadfield Community Primary School Good2023 2.4 applications per place 45% 50%
St John's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Faith Remains Good2021 2.4 applications per place – 32%
Alice Ingham Roman Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Faith Good2024 2.3small intake applications per place 55% 57%
St Gabriel's Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 2.3 applications per place 67% 28%
Middleton Parish Church School Faith Serious weaknesses Graded · no overall grade2025 2.3 applications per place – 33%
St Thomas' Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 2.3 applications per place – 29%
Littleborough Community Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 2.3 applications per place 70% 24%
Belfield Community School Graded · no overall grade2025 2.3 applications per place 49% 39%
Sandbrook Community Primary School 2026 2.3 applications per place 51% 65%
Crossgates Primary School Good2023 2.2 applications per place 62% 15%
St Peter's Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 2.2 applications per place 53% 38%
Harwood Park Primary School Good2024 2.2 applications per place 49% 46%
Our Lady & St Paul's RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Faith Good2023 2.1 applications per place 48% 40%
Shawclough Community Primary School Remains Good2023 2.1 applications per place 63% 30%
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School Rochdale, a Voluntary Academy Faith Remains Good2020 2.1 applications per place 66% 21%
Bowlee Park Community Primary School Outstanding2023 2.0 applications per place 73% 33%
Marland Hill Community Primary School Remains Good2023 2.0 applications per place 60% 33%
Newhey Community Primary School 2026 2.0 applications per place 56% 30%
Elm Wood Primary School Good2024 2.0 applications per place 43% 33%
Heybrook Primary School Remains Good2023 2.0 applications per place 73% 45%
Meanwood Community Nursery and Primary School Good2024 1.9 applications per place 39% 55%
St Edward's Church of England Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.9 applications per place 54% 25%
Spotland Primary Academy Special measures Inadequate2024 1.9 applications per place – 31%
Woodland Community Primary School Standards maintained2025 1.7 applications per place 54% 46%
Rhodes Green CE Primary School Faith Requires improvement2022 1.3 applications per place 0% 47%
Rochdale Sixth Form College Not yet inspected no data – 0%
St Margaret's Church of England Primary School Faith Good2024 no data – –

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

Special schools and other provision

8 schools