Higher Failsworth Primary School
Oldham, M35 9EA · Oldham · primary school
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58th 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 — 0.6/10 against 2,336 of them, against 0.9/10 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 | 40.0 · 8 | 40% | 0.32 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Higher Failsworth Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 40.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% 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 (0.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council and Pupil Leadership Team. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 396 pupils against a stated capacity of 474. 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 progress from the expected standard to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific activities are included in the breakfast and after-school clubs? How does the school monitor progress for pupils who are not yet meeting national expectations?
What Ofsted said about Higher Failsworth Primary School
Overview
Higher Failsworth Primary School is described as ‘a kind, welcoming and caring school’ where pupils feel safe and valued. The inspection confirms that the school provides a high-quality education, with pupils displaying ‘impeccable manners’ and achieving well across most subjects. Leaders have successfully improved the curriculum and attendance, creating a culture of high expectations and strong personal development.
Strengths
- Pupils exhibit ‘excellent’ behaviour and attitudes, being ‘kind and considerate’ with ‘impeccable manners’.
- The curriculum is ‘suitably ambitious’, with most staff demonstrating ‘strong subject knowledge’ and using clear explanations.
- Reading provision is ‘well structured’, ensuring most pupils become ‘confident, fluent readers’.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective, with staff working closely with external agencies.
- The school has made significant progress in improving historically low attendance rates through targeted support.
Areas to improve
- In a minority of subjects, some staff do not select activities that sufficiently support pupils to learn curriculum knowledge, hindering their understanding of new content.
- Monitoring processes for the curriculum’s impact are in the ‘early stages of implementation’ in a few subjects, preventing sufficient oversight of pupil progress.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘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 | 49% |
| 2023/24 | 55% |
| 2024/25 | 40% |
| 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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