Manchester Road Primary Academy

About Manchester Road Primary Academy

Manchester Road Primary Academy is a state primary school in Tameside, serving 378 pupils aged three to eleven. It sits 24th out of 76 primary schools in the local authority, placing it in the top half of the area. The top-performing peers in Tameside are Broadbottom Church of England Primary School, St Raphael's Catholic Primary School, and St John's CofE Primary School in Dukinfield. The school is non-denominational and has a notably high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 44.3%, well above the national average. It is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, with 58 applications for 34 places and 31 first-preference offers, indicating strong local demand. Headteacher Joanne Taylor leads a school that has seen significant improvement: its most recent graded inspection in 2019 rated it Good overall, a clear step up from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2017.

Academically, the school performs solidly against local benchmarks. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 66% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the Tameside average of 62%. Reading is a particular strength, with 82% reaching the expected standard and 47% achieving a higher score. Maths also performs well, with 73% at the expected level and an average scaled score of 105. However, the proportion reaching the higher standard across all three subjects is 11%, which is modest. The school ranks 24th out of 57 primary schools in Tameside on this combined measure, and 835th out of 2,065 in the North West region. Ofsted’s most recent ungraded inspection in November 2024 confirmed that standards are being maintained, with all key areas rated Good, including early years provision, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a forest school, sensory room, library, ICT suite and chapel, plus sports such as athletics, football and gymnastics. Clubs include drama, art, choir, chess and book club. Its SEND provision is extensive, covering autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, and social, emotional and mental health support. Parent View responses from 11 families are largely positive: 82% would recommend the school, and 91% agree or strongly agree that their child is happy. However, a minority of parents expressed concerns about how bullying is handled and about communication on what their child will learn. This is a school that suits families looking for a well-regarded local primary with strong pastoral support and a clear upward trajectory, particularly those who value a diverse intake and a broad extracurricular offer.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Manchester Road Primary Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents