North Chadderton School
About North Chadderton School
North Chadderton School is a large, mixed secondary in Oldham with a current roll of 1,569 pupils, just shy of its 1,656 capacity. The school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage: 24.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with a national average that typically sits around 23-24% for secondaries. Demand is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 637 applications for 262 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.43, and 217 of those offers went to first-preference applicants out of 220 who named it first. That suggests a school that local families actively want, even if it isn't the most selective in the borough. The school is non-religious and has no formal faith character, which broadens its appeal across the local area.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 100 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 EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Nov 2024From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.
Source: Ofsted, 8 Dec 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About North Chadderton School
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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications