Star Radcliffe Academy
N/A
Ofsted Rating
20%
Capacity
149
Pupils
2.0x
Demand
About Star Radcliffe Academy
Star Radcliffe Academy is a state secondary school in Bury, serving 149 pupils aged 11 to 16. It sits within a local authority that has no schools rated Outstanding among its 16 secondary schools, placing it in a landscape where Good is the top available grade. Among its local peers, Holy Cross College leads the ranking, followed by The Derby High School and Parrenthorn High School. The school is significantly oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, with 300 applications for 149 places and 184 first-preference applications resulting in 144 offers. That oversubscription ratio of 2.01 suggests strong local demand, likely driven by its recent inspection record and the absence of Outstanding alternatives nearby. With a free school meals rate of 43.6%, it serves a community with above-average disadvantage, and its headteacher is Lee Woods.
The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection rated it Good overall, with Outstanding for behaviour and attitudes, and Good for quality of education, personal development, and leadership and management. This is a notable achievement given the local context, where no secondary school holds Outstanding. Academic outcomes are not provided in the data, so direct comparison to the Bury LA average Progress 8 score of -0.02 is not possible here. However, the inspection report’s judgement on quality of education as Good indicates that pupils are making at least expected progress. The school’s size is small relative to its capacity of 750, which may allow for more individualised attention. The absence of a sixth form means students typically move on to local colleges or school sixth forms after Year 11.
Facilities are extensive for a school of this size, including science labs, music rooms, a theatre, sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, and playing fields. Sports offered range from rugby and hockey to rowing and martial arts, while clubs include Eco Club, Orchestra, Duke of Edinburgh, Model UN, and Drama. The school provides for a wide range of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. With oversubscription and a high first-preference rate, families should apply early and consider the school’s strong behaviour culture and Good Ofsted rating. It suits families looking for a well-resourced, inclusive secondary with a clear focus on conduct and personal development, particularly those who value a smaller school community within a competitive local admissions market.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Spring Lane, Radcliffe, Bury, M26 2SZ |
| Headteacher | Lee Woods |
| Local Authority | Bury |
| Number of Pupils | 149 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 43.6% |
| School Capacity | 149 / 750 (20% full) |
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed149
300
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
184 families put this school as their 1st choice (61% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British74.5%
- Asian12.7%
- Mixed4.7%
- White (other)0.7%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
10
Total schools
10
Oversubscribed
9
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Star Radcliffe Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
How to Appeal a School Admissions Decision
Step-by-step guide to school appeals
Contact Information
Spring Lane, Radcliffe
Bury, M26 2SZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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