St Margaret's Church of England Primary School

About St Margaret's Church of England Primary School

Parents considering St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School will find a school that is clearly valued by its community, though specific parent satisfaction data is not available in the most recent records. The school is oversubscribed, with a capacity of 210 pupils, indicating strong local demand for places. This suggests that families in Rochdale view the school positively, and securing a spot may require careful planning. The school is led by headteacher Nicole McShane and operates as a state-funded Church of England primary for mixed-gender pupils aged 4 to 11. Its Good Ofsted rating, while not the highest available in the local authority—where seven out of 69 primary schools are rated Outstanding—still places it in a solid position. The nearest Outstanding-rated alternative, St Luke's Church of England Primary School, is 1.8 kilometres away, which may influence catchment-area decisions for families prioritising a top-tier inspection grade.

Academically, St Margaret’s sits within a local authority where the average Key Stage 2 attainment score is 58, a benchmark against which the school’s own performance can be measured. While the school’s individual KS2 results are not provided in the data, its Good Ofsted rating suggests that teaching and learning are effective, with pupils making expected progress. The school’s ranking among its peers is not explicitly stated, but it is not listed among the top three in the area, which are All Souls Church of England Primary School (ranking score 86), Hollin Primary School (81), and Healey Foundation Primary School (80). This indicates that while St Margaret’s is a solid choice, it may not be the highest-performing option for families focused purely on academic outcomes. The school does not have a sixth form or nursery provision, so it serves the primary years exclusively, with no early-years or post-11 continuation on site.

On the practical side, St Margaret’s offers a range of facilities that support both academic and extracurricular life, including a dining hall, music rooms, a sports hall, library, art studios, and a chapel. Sports provision is strong, with athletics, swimming, cricket, rounders, netball, football, and cross country available, alongside clubs such as science club, coding, and choir. This breadth suggests the school values a balanced experience beyond the classroom. For families with children who have special educational needs or disabilities, the data does not specify SEND provisions, so it would be worth contacting the school directly to discuss support. The school’s Church of England character may appeal to families seeking a faith-based environment, though the data does not detail how this is reflected in daily practice. Overall, St Margaret’s suits families who prioritise a well-regarded local primary with good facilities and a strong community feel, but who are prepared for the possibility of oversubscription and may need to explore nearby alternatives for an Outstanding rating.

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