Freehold Community Academy
Oldham, OL9 7RG · Oldham · primary school
Check the area around this school
37th of 71 primary schools in Oldham we can score, 86 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.0/10 against 2,028 of them, against 2.8/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 55.0 · 27 | 40% | 1.10 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Freehold Community Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 55.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 3.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 447 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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
What specific support is available for pupils who have not reached the expected standard? How does the school maintain its Good rating while addressing the gap in higher standard attainment?
What Ofsted said about Freehold Community Academy
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, with evidence suggesting it might achieve ‘outstanding’ if a graded inspection were conducted now. The report describes Freehold Community Academy as a ‘special place in which to learn’ where pupils are happy, thrive, and feel their voices are heard. Leaders provide a ‘highly ambitious curriculum’ that equips all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to achieve exceptionally well.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘exciting and aspirational’, with meticulously defined knowledge and skills that help pupils ‘develop and deepen their understanding of concepts over time’.
- Pupils ‘remember in depth what they have learned’ and successfully apply prior knowledge to more sophisticated ideas across subjects.
- Staff are ‘highly skilled’ at fostering early language development and delivering phonics with expertise, ensuring children are ‘extremely well prepared for secondary school’.
- Behaviour is described as ‘impeccable’, with pupils consistently modelling values such as ‘honesty, resilience, respect, integrity and empathy’.
- The ‘Freehold 50 Pledge’ provides a ‘vast array of opportunities’ for pupils to build confidence, resilience, and community engagement.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 56% |
| 2023/24 | 56% |
| 2024/25 | 55% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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