The Hathershaw College
Oldham, OL8 3EP · Oldham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
12th 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 — 3.3/10 against 255 of them, against 1.5/10 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 | 10 | 35% | 0.34 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 20.4 · 4 | 30% | 0.11 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.23 · 32 | 25% | 0.81 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 35.2 · 6 | 10% | 0.06 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Hathershaw College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 26.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.23 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 (4.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Instrumental lessons are available for pupils.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,034 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 and the national median? What specific areas did the April 2026 inspection highlight for improvement?
What Ofsted said about The Hathershaw College
Overview
The Hathershaw College is described as an inclusive community where pupils feel safe, behave well, and are proud of their school. While attendance and behaviour meet the expected standard, the report identifies that pupils have not achieved well enough in national examinations, and recent improvements to teaching and curriculum are still being embedded.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed.
- Attendance is at the expected standard, with leaders intervening quickly to support vulnerable pupils and those with special educational needs.
- Pupils behave well, following clear routines and showing largely positive attitudes to learning.
- The school is inclusive, with specialist staff supporting pupils with hearing impairments and other needs effectively.
- Personal development prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain, including understanding British values and online safety.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure all pupils achieve their best and that outcomes in national assessments improve.
- Teachers need to use assessment procedures with precision across the curriculum to identify misconceptions early and address gaps in knowledge, particularly in reading and writing.
- Participation in clubs and activities is currently low for most pupils, and leaders are working to increase engagement.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.0 |
| 2024/25 | 39.3 |
| 2025/26 | 35.2 |
| 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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