Best Schools in Rochdale 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 86 schools and nurseries in Rochdale — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Rochdale is a metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester encompassing the towns of Rochdale, Middleton, Heywood and Littleborough. The borough has 86 schools with a mix of community, academy and faith schools. Recent investment in education has seen several schools improve their Ofsted ratings.
Rochdale at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Rochdale
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Souls Church of England Primary School | Rochdale | Outstanding | 86% | — | — |
| Hollin Primary School | Rochdale | Good | 81% | — | — |
| Healey Foundation Primary School | Rochdale | Good | 80% | — | — |
| Crossgates Primary School | Rochdale | Good | 78% | — | — |
| Whittaker Moss Primary School | Rochdale | Good | 76% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Rochdale
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollingworth Academy | Rochdale | Good | -0.02 | 74% | 30% |
| Falinge Park High School | Rochdale | Good | -0.03 | 52% | 13% |
| Matthew Moss High School | Rochdale | Good | -0.03 | 52% | 45% |
| Oulder Hill Leadership Academy | Rochdale | Good | -0.11 | 65% | 75% |
| Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School | Rochdale | Good | -0.12 | 61% | 39% |
Admissions in Rochdale — Key Dates
School admissions are coordinated by Rochdale Borough Council. The borough follows the standard Greater Manchester admissions timeline. Distance from home to school is the primary criterion for most community schools after statutory priorities.
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 Rochdale?
Wardle Academy, Holy Family RC and CE College, and Falinge Park High School are among the well-performing secondaries. Middleton has several strong primary schools including St Peter's RC and Alkrington Primary.
How many schools are in Rochdale borough?
Rochdale borough has 86 schools including primary, secondary, special and independent schools across Rochdale, Middleton, Heywood and Littleborough.
Are Rochdale schools improving?
Yes. Several Rochdale schools have improved their Ofsted ratings in recent inspections. The borough council has invested in school improvement programmes and multi-academy trusts have brought additional support.
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