Hazel Wood High School

About Hazel Wood High School

Hazel Wood High School sits within the Bury local authority, a mixed 11-16 state secondary that ranks 7th out of 14 similar schools in the area. Its Progress 8 score of 0.02 places it just above the local authority average of -0.02, though it sits behind the top-performing peers in the borough. The strongest nearby competitors include Holy Cross College, The Derby High School, and Parrenthorn High School, all of which post higher ranking scores. Headteacher Adele Hulton leads a school that is notably oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, 173 families applied for 137 places, with 117 first-preference offers made. That oversubscription ratio of 1.26 suggests a school that local families are actively choosing, despite not being the highest-ranked in Bury. The school operates above its stated capacity of 600 pupils, currently enrolling 720 students, and a high proportion — 54.3 per cent — are eligible for free school meals, reflecting a community with significant socioeconomic need.

Academically, Hazel Wood delivers solid but not standout results. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2023 awarded a Good rating across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This marks a significant improvement from the previous inspection in 2018, when the school was rated Inadequate overall. In terms of exam performance, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 42.1, and 59 per cent secured a grade 4 or above in both English and maths. The school’s Progress 8 score of 0.02 is classed as Average, meaning students make broadly expected progress compared with peers nationally. The EBacc entry rate stands at 41 per cent, with 20.9 per cent achieving the qualification at grade 4 or above. In the North West region, Hazel Wood ranks 154th out of 445 schools on Progress 8, placing it in the 35th percentile nationally. While not among the top performers locally, the school’s improvement trajectory and consistent Good rating offer reassurance to parents.

The school is well equipped with facilities including a theatre, astro turf, science labs, music rooms, and a sports hall, and offers a broad range of extracurricular activities such as rowing, martial arts, dance, and a gardening club. There is no sixth form or nursery provision, so pupils must plan for post-16 education elsewhere. Hazel Wood has a strong SEND framework, supporting students with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication challenges, hearing impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. Given its oversubscription, families should apply early and consider the first-preference route. This school will suit parents looking for a Good-rated, inclusive secondary in Bury that serves a diverse intake and has shown clear improvement from a difficult past. It is a pragmatic choice for families who value stability, breadth of opportunity, and a school that reflects the local community it serves.

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