Great Academy Ashton
96%
Capacity
1,299
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About Great Academy Ashton
Great Academy Ashton is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Tameside community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,299 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (96% of 1,350 places).
Ofsted has rated Great Academy Ashton "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Matthew Little, it falls under Tameside local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.56 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 36.0. Additionally, ranked 2694th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 13th out of 16 in Tameside.
Great Academy Ashton is a popular choice with families — it received 376 applications for 254 places, making it 1.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 174 were first-preference applications.
Great Academy Ashton parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 73% recommending the school (63 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Great Academy Ashton include Swimming Pool, Library, Theatre, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Music Rooms.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Martial Arts, Badminton, Rounders, Cross Country and 2 more, as well as clubs including Young Enterprise, Coding, Book Club, Model UN and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 47.0%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Tameside, Great Academy Ashton is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Broadoak Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, OL6 8RF |
| Headteacher | Matthew Little |
| Local Authority | Tameside |
| Number of Pupils | 1,299 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 47.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,299 / 1,350 (96% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Mar 2025Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 15 May 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.56)
2694th of 3,141
Nationally
348th of 445
In North West
13th of 16
In Tameside
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Ofsted Parent View
63 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed254
376
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
174 families put this school as their 1st choice (46% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Academy Ashton
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Broadoak Road, Ashton-under-Lyne
Tameside, OL6 8RF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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