Healey Learning Centre, Rochdale
Healey Learning Centre is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Rochdale. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in April 2025. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in March 2026 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Healey Learning Centre in detail
Healey Learning Centre in its own words
In its own words: "At Healey Learning Centre, everything we do begins with a clear belief: every young person can succeed when they are supported, understood and given the right environment to thrive, regardless of their past experiences, barriers or previous disengagement from learning. The Apex Way is the foundation of our whole-school ethos."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Healey Learning Centre are Whitehall Academy (0.7 miles); Willow View School (0.9 miles, Good); Redwood (1.2 miles, Good); and Springside (1.2 miles, Good).
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Healey Learning Centre has an education, health and care plan (34 of 34 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Rochdale Interchange (Manchester Metrolink), about 1 mile away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Foot Wood Crescent (opposite), 60 metres away.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 7 months agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Met all the independent school standards.
- Part 1: quality of educationMet
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementMet
Ofsted also found the school was not keeping to the terms of its registration (for example its age range or pupil numbers).
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Healey Learning Centre demonstrates strong leadership and expertise in supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health needs and autism. The school has thoughtfully designed its three sites to create safe, supportive learning environments with appropriate facilities including medical rooms, accessible changing areas, and quiet spaces. Staff are carefully recruited for their relevant experience and knowledge, ensuring pupils receive well-supervised, appropriate care.
Key Strengths
- Strong leadership with relevant expertise in supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities
- Comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures with well-trained staff
- Well-maintained, purpose-designed premises refurbished to a high standard with pupils' needs in mind
- Thorough health and safety systems including fire safety compliance and individual risk assessments for all pupils
- Rigorous recruitment and vetting procedures for all staff
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective, with a comprehensive policy reflecting statutory guidance, designated safeguarding leads receiving additional training, and careful systems designed for the multi-site environment.
Extracurricular Activities
Physical education at neighbouring gym facilities, outdoor recreation spaces at all sites
Healey Learning Centre is a specialist independent school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and autism spectrum disorders, operating across three sites. The school meets independent school standards relevant to its material change application to expand pupil numbers and premises.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Healey Learning Centre
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 3
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 3 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 3 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Rochdale is 10 (the median across 106 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
49%
Available places
34 pupils
70 places
36 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Rochdale
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Rochdale
Across Rochdale council
Places available
3,030
Applications
2,860
Got 1st preference
86.8%
Got preferred school
97.0%
All secondary applications across Rochdale council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
34
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Healey Learning Centre is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
34
Total Pupils
20
Boys
14
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Healey Learning Centre
Showing 10 of 13 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Healey Learning Centre
What is Healey Learning Centre's Ofsted rating?
Healey Learning Centre's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2026, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in April 2025, it was rated Good.
Does Healey Learning Centre meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in April 2025, Healey Learning Centre met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Healey Learning Centre?
Healey Learning Centre has around 34 pupils on roll.
Does Healey Learning Centre have specialist SEN provision?
Healey Learning Centre is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Healey Learning Centre?
Healey Learning Centre is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Healey Learning Centre?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 3 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 3 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Rochdale is 10 (the median across 106 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Healey Learning Centre?
Healey Learning Centre is at Unit 16, Hollow Works, Shawclough Road, Rochdale, OL12 6LN.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)