St Andrew's Church of England Primary School and Nursery

About St Andrew's Church of England Primary School and Nursery

St Andrew's Church of England Primary School and Nursery sits within the Rochdale local authority, where it ranks 6th out of 52 primary schools on the key stage 2 expected standard measure, placing it in the top 25 per cent of schools nationally. Among its closest performing peers in the borough are All Souls Church of England Primary School, Hollin Primary School, and Healey Foundation Primary School, all of which sit just ahead in the local rankings. The school is significantly oversubscribed, receiving 110 applications for 48 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, with 44 first-preference offers made. That level of demand reflects a strong local reputation, and the school's Church of England character, combined with its nursery provision for children from age three, makes it a popular choice for families across Rochdale. With 434 pupils on roll against a capacity of 360, the school is operating above its official capacity, which suggests it is a well-established fixture in the community.

In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2014, St Andrew's was rated Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. An ungraded inspection in January 2022 confirmed the school remains Good. At key stage 2 in the 2023/24 academic year, 75 per cent of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the Rochdale local authority average of 58 per cent. In reading, 80 per cent reached the expected standard and 31 per cent achieved a higher standard; in maths, 80 per cent reached the expected standard and 36 per cent achieved a higher standard. Writing saw 78 per cent at the expected level and 10 per cent at the higher level. Average scores in reading and maths both sat at 105. The school's strong performance places it in the top 20 per cent nationally and the top 18 per cent regionally within the North West.

Facilities include a library, art studios, a gymnasium, a chapel, a forest school area, and an outdoor playground. The school offers a broad range of sports including gymnastics, dance, rounders, cross country, swimming, cricket and tennis, alongside clubs such as art, coding, gardening and science club. SEND provision covers a wide spectrum, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, hearing impairment, physical disability, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. With 17.7 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a moderately disadvantaged intake relative to the national average. For families seeking a Church of England primary with strong academic outcomes, a nursery feeder, and a clear commitment to inclusion, St Andrew's is a compelling option within Rochdale, though its oversubscription means early application is essential.

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