St John Fisher RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, Denton

About St John Fisher RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, Denton

St John Fisher RC Primary School in Denton is a popular choice among local families, with strong signals of parent satisfaction. In its most recent Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good across all five categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This marks a clear improvement from its previous inspection in 2018, when the school was rated Requires Improvement overall. While the school does not publish a specific parent recommendation percentage, the upward trajectory in its Ofsted grades suggests a school that has responded well to earlier challenges. The school has a capacity of 252 places and, as a voluntary academy with a Roman Catholic character, it prioritises admissions for baptised Catholic children from the parish. Oversubscription data is not provided, but the school’s nursery provision means families can join from age three, giving parents a chance to secure a place early.

Academically, St John Fisher performs solidly within the Tameside local authority. The school’s most recent Key Stage 2 results are not individually published in this data, but the local authority average for KS2 attainment is 62, and the school sits within a competitive primary landscape. Ofsted’s quality of education judgement is Good, and the early years provision is also rated Good, indicating a strong foundation for younger pupils. The school’s Progress 8 score is not available here, but its overall effectiveness rating of Good places it among the majority of Tameside’s 76 primary schools, where only one school currently holds an Outstanding rating. Compared with its previous inspection, the school has clearly raised its game, moving from Requires Improvement to Good in both leadership and management and overall effectiveness.

The school offers a wide range of facilities that support both learning and wellbeing, including a sensory room, chapel, library, ICT suite, and outdoor playground. Sports provision includes swimming, gymnastics, athletics, and cricket, while after-school clubs such as chess, science club, eco club, and drama give children plenty of enrichment opportunities. For families considering St John Fisher, the school’s Roman Catholic ethos is central to its identity, and the chapel on site reflects this. The school is mixed and non-selective, with no sixth form, so parents will need to plan for secondary transfer at age 11. With a Good Ofsted rating, improved leadership, and a broad extracurricular offer, this school is well suited to Catholic families in Denton who value a strong community feel and a school that has demonstrably turned itself around.

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