Best Schools in Oldham 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 102 schools and nurseries in Oldham — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Oldham has 102 schools educating over 44,000 pupils across this Pennine borough in Greater Manchester. The borough stretches from urban Oldham to the moors above Saddleworth, offering diverse school options in varied settings.
Saddleworth School, Blue Coat School and Crompton House Church of England School are among the well-regarded secondaries. Oldham's schools have been on an improvement trajectory, with strong support from academy trusts.
Oldham at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Oldham
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christ Church CofE Primary School | Oldham | Good | 93% | — | — |
| St Martin's CofE Junior Infant and Nursery School | Oldham | Good | 89% | — | — |
| St Anne's CofE Lydgate Primary School | Oldham | Good | 87% | — | — |
| Buckstones Primary School | Oldham | Good | 83% | — | — |
| St Mary's CofE Primary School High Crompton | Oldham | Good | 82% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Oldham
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Blue Coat CofE School | Oldham | Outstanding | +0.50 | 84% | 91% |
| E-ACT the Oldham Academy North | Oldham | Good | +0.38 | 67% | 56% |
| Oasis Academy Leesbrook | Oldham | Good | +0.12 | 55% | 91% |
| Saddleworth School | Oldham | Requires Improvement | -0.01 | 75% | 43% |
| The Crompton House Church of England Academy | Oldham | Good | -0.02 | 73% | 62% |
Admissions in Oldham — Key Dates
Oldham Council coordinates admissions for state schools. Secondary applications closed on 31 October 2025 with offers on 1 March 2026. Primary applications close on 15 January 2026 with offers on 16 April 2026. Apply through oldham.gov.uk.
Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best schools in Oldham?
Saddleworth School, Blue Coat School and Crompton House Church of England School are well-regarded. Primary schools in Saddleworth and Shaw achieve strong KS2 results.
How are Oldham schools performing?
Oldham's schools have improved through academy programmes. Schools in the Saddleworth area tend to have higher raw results, while urban schools show strong progress scores.
Which areas of Oldham are best for schools?
Saddleworth (Uppermill, Greenfield, Diggle) is the most popular area for families seeking well-rated schools. Shaw and Royton also have good primary options.
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