Classpot

Alder Community High School

Tameside, SK14 5NJSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Apr 2024
Progress 8
-0.28
Below average
−20+2
Competition
1.3×
Oversubscribed
213 1st-choice / 170 places
Ranking
#2,191
of 3,141 nationally

About Alder Community High School

Alder Community High School is a mixed secondary school in Tameside that currently houses 924 pupils, 24 over its official capacity of 900, and the demand to get in is strong. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 408 applications for 170 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.4, and 164 of those offers went to first-preference families. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 28.8%, which is notably higher than the national average for secondary schools, suggesting the school serves a community with above-average levels of economic disadvantage. Despite being oversubscribed, the school's intake profile reflects a broad mix of local families, with the high FSM figure pointing to a significant proportion of pupils who may need additional support. The school does not have a sixth form, so students leave at 16, and it has no religious character, making it a straightforward community option for families across Tameside.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressMottram Old Road, Hyde, Tameside, SK14 5NJ
HeadteacherMichelle Critchlow
Local AuthorityTameside
Number of Pupils924
Free School Meals (FSM)28.8%
School Capacity924 / 900 (103% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

16 Apr 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 20 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

11
Art StudiosTheatreICT SuiteSports HallAstro TurfGymnasiumMusic RoomsLibraryPlaying FieldsSixth Form CentreChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

15

Sports

TennisNetballSwimmingHockeyAthleticsCross Country

Clubs & Activities

DramaYoung EnterpriseArt ClubDuke of EdinburghChoirNewspaperDebateFilm ClubCoding

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:20 – 14:50

Breakfast club

07:45-08:20

Source: aldercommunityhighschool.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Alder Community High School

Alder Community High School has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.