Classpot

Edgar Wood Academy

Rochdale, OL10 2QNSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Nov 2023
Progress 8
No data
Competition
0.7×
Not oversubscribed
101 1st-choice / 144 places
Ranking
Not ranked

About Edgar Wood Academy

Edgar Wood Academy, a mixed state secondary for 11-16 year olds in Rochdale, serves a student body where 41.3% are eligible for free school meals, significantly above the national average. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 rated it as Requires Improvement overall, placing it below the local authority average for secondary schools in Rochdale. While the LA's average Progress 8 score sits at -0.25, Edgar Wood's own Progress 8 figure is not available in the data, but the Ofsted rating suggests academic outcomes are a concern. The school is oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 329 applications for 144 places, and 101 first-preference offers, indicating strong local demand despite the inspection grade. This contrast between high demand and a Requires Improvement rating is a key point for parents to weigh up.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressHeywood Old Road, Heywood, Rochdale, OL10 2QN
HeadteacherPaul Jones
Local AuthorityRochdale
Number of Pupils637
Free School Meals (FSM)41.3%
School Capacity637 / 900 (71% full)

The full report on this school

What 56 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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

21 Nov 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement

Source: Ofsted, 18 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Sports HallSwimming PoolDining HallTheatreMusic RoomsSixth Form CentreScience LabsPlaying FieldsLibrary

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

16

Sports

SwimmingNetballCricketTennisCross CountryDanceAthletics

Clubs & Activities

ChoirArt ClubGardeningDramaModel United NationsCodingChessEco ClubOrchestra

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionLearning DifficultyMulti-SensoryOther

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

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:40 – 15:00

Breakfast club

07:30-08:30

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Edgar Wood Academy

Edgar Wood Academy 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.