Unsworth Academy
About Unsworth Academy
Unsworth Academy is a mixed 11-16 secondary school in Bury that is currently oversubscribed, with 388 applications for 199 places in the 2025/26 admissions round. That is a ratio of nearly two applicants per place, and of the 189 families who put it as their first preference, 186 were offered a spot. The school is running above its official capacity of 935 pupils, with 968 on roll, which suggests real demand from local families. Around 30.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average for secondary schools and a figure that gives a sense of the intake’s socioeconomic mix. The school is non-denominational and has no sixth form, so pupils move on elsewhere after Year 11. Headteacher Martin Stewart leads a school that has seen significant improvement since its last graded inspection, when it was rated Inadequate in 2016.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 96 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Apr 2025Latest monitoring visit (24 Apr 2025): Improved significantly
Source: Ofsted, 18 Dec 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:35 – 15:05
Breakfast club
08:00-08:35
After-school care
15:05-16:00
Source: unsworthacademy.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Unsworth Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications