Co-op Academy Failsworth, Manchester

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am proud to lead a school where high standards, strong values and a deep sense of community come together to create an ambitious and supportive learning environment. Welcome to Co-op Academy Failsworth, a vibrant and ambitious school at the heart of our community."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, basketball, badminton, multi-sports, dance, drama, choir and guitar.

In 2026, pupils at Co-op Academy Failsworth averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.4 in Oldham and 47 across England.

45% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 40% in Oldham and 47% in England.

That is up from 43 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.3: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 41.2, against 49.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 7.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 26 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Art and Design and Sports Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 300 families put Co-op Academy Failsworth as their first choice and 478 named it as one of their preferences, for 313 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 16 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Co-op Academy Failsworth are Laurus Ryecroft (1.1 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 51.1); Oasis Academy Oldham (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.5); St Matthew's RC High School (1.5 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 37.6); and Droylsden Academy (1.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.7).

Co-op Academy Failsworth's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Co-op Academy Failsworth is one of 40 schools run by The Co-Operative Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 275 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 77% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 46% to a further education college, 5% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

44.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 8.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (78%) and Mixed (12%).

In 2026, 223 pupils (15.6%) received SEN support and 30 (2.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Failsworth (Manchester Metrolink), about 1130 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Co-op Academy Failsworth (opposite), 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Co-op Academy Failsworth stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Co-op Academy Failsworth issued 246 suspensions, 17.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 5 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Co-op Academy Failsworth are St John's Church of England Primary School (0.2 miles); Higher Failsworth Primary School (0.5 miles); St Mary's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy (0.5 miles); and Woodhouses Voluntary Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.