Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy

About Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy

Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College sits in a local authority where the average Progress 8 score for secondary schools is -0.13, meaning pupils typically leave with slightly lower grades than the national average. The school’s own Progress 8 figure is not published in the available data, so a direct comparison against the LA average is not possible. However, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated it as Requires Improvement overall, a step up from its previous Inadequate rating. This improvement is notable in a borough where only one of sixteen secondary schools holds an Outstanding grade — The Blue Coat CofE School, located 3.1 km away. For families weighing options in Oldham, this school represents a work in progress that has moved out of the lowest category.

Academically, the Ofsted breakdown shows a mixed picture. The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management all received a grade 3 (Requires improvement), while personal development was judged Good. The school does not have a sixth form that was separately inspected in the 2022 visit, though it does offer sixth form provision. With 62% of pupils eligible for free school meals — well above the national average — the school serves a significantly disadvantaged intake. Without published Key Stage 2 or GCSE outcomes, it is difficult to benchmark performance against the LA average of -0.13 for Progress 8. The previous inspection in 2021 had rated overall effectiveness as Inadequate, so the 2022 upgrade to Requires Improvement suggests recent leadership changes under headteacher Kerry Phillips may be taking effect.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, chapel, and astro turf, plus clubs from DofE to martial arts. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia through to profound and multiple learning difficulties, alongside support for social, emotional and mental health needs. With a capacity of just 185, it is a small secondary, which may appeal to families seeking a more contained environment. The Roman Catholic character is reflected in the chapel and the school’s name, though admissions criteria are not detailed in the data. Given the high FSM percentage and the Requires Improvement rating, this school is likely to suit families who value a recent trajectory of improvement and a strong personal development focus, but who are comfortable with academic outcomes that are still being strengthened.

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