Co-op Academy Failsworth
Manchester, M35 9HA · Oldham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th of 13 secondary schools in Oldham we can score, 14 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.3/10 against 449 of them, against 4.0/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 44.5 · 49 | 30% | 1.46 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.3 · 27 | 25% | 0.68 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.7 · 48 | 10% | 0.48 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Co-op Academy Failsworth overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 30.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.3 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs including Portuguese, Mandarin, Rock Band, and Science Breakfast Revision. Sports options cover basketball, netball, and badminton, while arts activities include choir, dance, and percussion ensemble. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,434 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the school manage class sizes with 66 places currently available?
What Ofsted said about Co-op Academy Failsworth
Overview
Co-op Academy Failsworth is described as a place where "most pupils are happy to come to school" and feel safe due to the support provided by staff. The report highlights that behaviour is "usually calm and orderly," with pupils engaging positively with learning and benefiting from a curriculum that is "ambitious for all pupils." Overall effectiveness is judged as Good, reflecting improvements in achievement and a strong culture of inclusion.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well designed" with "powerful knowledge" clearly identified and introduced in a logical order to build understanding over time.
- Teachers possess "good subject knowledge" and use a "rigorous and well-structured approach to assessment" to identify misconceptions and plan future learning.
- Pupils benefit from a "comprehensive" careers programme and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, such as drama and rock band, which strengthen team-working and talents.
- Staff workload and well-being are considered through consultation, ensuring staff are "motivated to support pupils as best as they can."
- Personal development is supported by a "well-designed" curriculum that helps pupils understand risks and respect diversity, preparing them for "life in modern Britain."
Areas to improve
- The school should ensure recent curriculum changes are "embedded fully across all year groups" so that pupils’ achievement continues to improve and published results rise.
- Strategies to support "technical accuracy in their written work are not consistently effective," and the school must ensure pupils receive support to secure "automaticity in writing accurately."
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.3 |
| 2024/25 | 43.0 |
| 2025/26 | 45.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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