Co-op Academy Medlock

About Co-op Academy Medlock

Co-op Academy Medlock, a state primary in Manchester for children aged 2 to 11, currently holds an Ofsted rating of Requires Improvement from its most recent inspection in 2021. This represents a consistent picture, as the school also received a Requires Improvement rating in its previous 2017 inspection. The breakdown of the 2021 inspection is mixed: inspectors rated personal development and behaviour and attitudes as Good, but judged the quality of education, early years provision, and leadership and management all as Requires Improvement. With 411 pupils on a capacity of 500, the school is not yet full, and it serves a community where 53.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. The most informative exam metric available is the local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment, which sits at 57; without the school’s own published KS2 data, this LA benchmark provides a useful reference point for parents comparing local options.

Academically, the picture is one of a school still working towards consistent outcomes. The Ofsted report notes that the quality of education requires improvement, which typically means that while some teaching is effective, it is not yet strong enough across the board to ensure pupils make consistently good progress from their starting points. The school’s early years provision also requires improvement, which is significant given that the school offers nursery provision for two-year-olds. On a more positive note, personal development is rated Good, and behaviour and attitudes are also Good, suggesting that the school environment is orderly and supportive. Compared to the local authority, where 15 out of 137 primary schools are rated Outstanding, Medlock sits in the larger group of schools that are not yet at that level. The nearest Outstanding alternative is Armitage CofE Primary School, 1.3 km away, which may be a consideration for families prioritising top Ofsted grades.

In practical terms, Co-op Academy Medlock offers a range of facilities including a dining hall, playing fields, gymnasium, library, and a Forest School area, which supports outdoor learning. Sports provision includes tennis, cricket, swimming, and football, and there are clubs such as book club, science club, and gardening. The school has a chapel on site, which is unusual for a non-religious school. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, hearing impairment, and physical disability. Admissions data for 2025/26 shows the school is oversubscribed: 54 applications for 32 places, with 32 first-preference offers made, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.69. This suggests strong local demand despite the Requires Improvement rating, likely driven by its inclusive ethos and broad provision. It may suit families who value a supportive, community-focused environment with good behaviour standards and a wide range of activities, and who are comfortable with a school that is actively working on academic improvement.

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