Matthew Moss High School

About Matthew Moss High School

Matthew Moss High School sends a strong signal to parents through its admissions data: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 639 applications for 226 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.83. Of those, 271 families put it as their first preference, and 215 first-preference offers were made. That level of demand suggests a school that local families actively choose, not just one they settle for. While the school does not publish a formal parent-view survey score, the sheer volume of applications — nearly three times the number of places — speaks volumes about its reputation in Rochdale. The school is a mixed, non-denominational secondary for ages 11 to 16, with no sixth form, and is led by headteacher Charlotte Leach-Rogers. It currently has 1,221 pupils on roll, slightly above its stated capacity of 1,200, which reflects its popularity. Over 41% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, placing the school in a high-deprivation context, yet it remains a first-choice destination for many families.

Academically, Matthew Moss performs solidly against a challenging local backdrop. Its Progress 8 score of -0.03 is classed as 'Average' nationally and places it second out of 11 schools in the Rochdale local authority, well above the LA average of -0.25. The Attainment 8 score sits at 41.8, and 51.7% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths, with 37.3% reaching grade 5 or above. The EBacc average point score is 3.77, with 44.5% of pupils entering the EBacc combination and 18.6% achieving the full EBacc at grade 4 or above. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2018, the school was rated Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. A subsequent ungraded inspection in 2024 confirmed the school remains Good. This is a notable improvement from its previous inspection in 2016, when it was rated Requires Improvement. The school ranks in the top half nationally for Progress 8, at the 50.7th percentile, and in the 37.8th percentile within the North West region.

The school offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, science labs, and a gymnasium, which support a varied sports programme covering football, hockey, cricket, athletics, martial arts, and badminton. Clubs include choir, orchestra, chess, gardening, eco club, science club, and debate. For pupils with additional needs, the school provides for a broad spectrum of SEND, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health support, and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, as well as a resourced provision. With no sixth form, families will need to plan for post-16 options elsewhere, but for a secondary school that is clearly in demand and performs above the local average despite high levels of disadvantage, Matthew Moss is a strong, grounded choice for Rochdale families who value a school that has demonstrably turned around its fortunes and now holds Good across the board.

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