St Herbert's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy

About St Herbert's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy

St Herbert's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy in Oldham, holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across its two most recent inspections. The school's most recent ungraded inspection in December 2024 found that it had 'improved significantly' since its previous graded inspection in 2015, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all judged as Good. This is a solid foundation for a school serving children aged 3 to 11. While the school does not have published Key Stage 2 SATs results in this data, the local authority average for such outcomes is 58, and St Herbert's sits within a competitive local landscape where the top-performing peers score between 87 and 93 on a ranking metric. The school's Roman Catholic character is woven into its facilities, which include a chapel, and it offers nursery provision for the youngest children.

Academically, the picture is one of consistent quality rather than headline-grabbing results. The Ofsted breakdown shows that in 2015, the school achieved Good for overall effectiveness, leadership and management, and early years provision, with no areas requiring improvement. The 2024 ungraded inspection confirmed that the school has not only sustained this standard but has improved significantly, which suggests strong internal progress. Without specific SATs or Progress 8 data, parents should look to the school's own published results for the most recent year. Compared to the local authority, where only four out of 86 primary schools are rated Outstanding, St Herbert's Good rating places it in the solid majority. Its nearest Outstanding school, Westwood Academy, is 1.3 km away, but St Herbert's offers a distinctively Catholic education that may appeal to families seeking that ethos.

The school is well-equipped for a primary setting, with facilities including a gymnasium, library, sports hall, playing fields, and a sensory room, the latter suggesting provision for pupils with additional needs. Clubs such as coding, science club, and film club indicate a focus on STEM and creative enrichment, while sports like cricket, dance, tennis, and netball offer variety. With a capacity of 315 and nursery provision, it is a medium-sized primary that is likely to be popular with local Catholic families. The school is oversubscribed in some years, so early application is advisable. St Herbert's suits families who value a faith-based education within a supportive, well-led environment, and who are comfortable with a school that performs reliably well rather than chasing top-tier academic rankings. Its location in Oldham, in the North West, makes it a practical choice for those living within the parish catchment.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About St Herbert's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents