E-ACT the Oldham Academy North
Oldham, OL2 5BF · Oldham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
3rd 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 — 8.3/10 against 344 of them, against 5.9/10 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 | 44.0 · 47 | 30% | 1.42 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.38 · 78 | 25% | 1.95 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.5 · 47 | 10% | 0.47 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
E-ACT the Oldham Academy North overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2025. In 2024/25, 43.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 48.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.38 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs including Duke of Edinburgh, Big Bang (Science), Cooking, Harry Potter, Photography, and Robotics. Sports options cover badminton, basketball, dodgeball, fitness, football, netball, and trampolining. Arts and music activities include guitar club, choir, rock band, music tech club, and 2D & 3D sketching. Trips include theatre visits and a 3-day residential in London.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,258 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,380. 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 in reaching the national median for Attainment 8? What specific support is available for students aiming
What Ofsted said about E-ACT the Oldham Academy North
Overview
This ungraded inspection found that the school’s work “may have improved significantly across all areas” since the previous inspection, prompting a future graded inspection. The report depicts a school that is “unrelenting in its pursuit of excellence,” where pupils achieve highly and feel a strong sense of belonging.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “highly ambitious and well-designed,” with a significantly higher proportion of pupils following the English Baccalaureate than the national average.
- Staff use “excellent subject knowledge” to explain concepts and routinely check understanding to address misconceptions, leading to strong gains in knowledge.
- Reading is a high priority, supported by a “strong culture of reading for pleasure” and highly effective support for those needing extra help.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly and access the ambitious curriculum, achieving “very well.”
- Behaviour is “typically exemplary,” contributing to a “calm and orderly atmosphere,” while attendance rates are improving through forensic checks and family support.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.9 |
| 2024/25 | 48.2 |
| 2025/26 | 45.5 |
| 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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