Lowerplace Primary School
Rochdale, OL16 4UU · Rochdale · primary school
Check the area around this school
45th of 55 primary schools in Rochdale we can score, 69 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 — 1.3/10 against 2,131 of them, against 1.4/10 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 | 41.0 · 9 | 40% | 0.35 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 1.0 · 21 | 25% | 0.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Lowerplace Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 41.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 1.0% reached the higher standard, 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 (1.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 533 pupils against a stated capacity of 570. 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 who are below the expected standard in literacy and numeracy? What specific interventions are in place for the 1.0% of pupils reaching the higher standard? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap between its results and the national median?
What Ofsted said about Lowerplace Primary School
Overview
Lowerplace Primary School continues to be a good school, providing a "happy, safe and kind place to learn" where pupils benefit from positive relationships with staff. The school delivers a high-quality curriculum that is accessible to all, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, fostering fluent and enthusiastic readers.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy "positive relationships" with staff and peers, trusting adults to resolve issues "quickly and effectively."
- Teachers use assessment strategies successfully to help pupils remember key knowledge, with "high-quality interactions" deepening learning.
- The school places reading at the heart of its culture, with "vibrant" library areas and effective support for pupils learning English as an additional language.
- Effective systems are in place to quickly identify pupils with SEND, ensuring they access the full curriculum and are supported to succeed.
- Staff workload is carefully considered, and staff are "proud to work at the school and to serve their community."
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, the school has not ensured that teachers deliver the curriculum in a logical order, hindering pupils from making secure connections between new concepts and prior knowledge.
- Absence levels remain high, as the school’s work to identify barriers to attendance is "not making a big enough difference to some pupils."
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 | 57% |
| 2023/24 | 39% |
| 2024/25 | 41% |
| 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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