Higher Failsworth Primary School, Oldham
Higher Failsworth Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Oldham. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2024. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 61st-highest of the 68 schools in Oldham with published results, and 12,633rd of 14,452 across England. It was 94% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2024)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Oldham (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Higher Failsworth Primary School in detail
Higher Failsworth Primary School in its own words
The school runs a breakfast club, from £1.00 per day.
Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 55% of Year 6 pupils at Higher Failsworth Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 68% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 74% in Oldham and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 67% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Higher Failsworth Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 27 families put Higher Failsworth Primary School as their first choice and 67 named it as one of their preferences, for 31 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Higher Failsworth Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Higher Failsworth Primary School are St John's Church of England Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 73% reading, 70% maths); St Margaret's CofE Junior Infant and Nursery School (0.7 miles, Good, 74% reading, 81% maths); New Moston Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 57% reading, 73% maths); and Propps Hall Junior Infant and Nursery School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, 93% reading, 90% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than Higher Failsworth Primary School.
St John's Church of England Primary SchoolSt Margaret's CofE Junior Infant and Nursery SchoolNew Moston Primary SchoolPropps Hall Junior Infant and Nursery School
Who goes there
9.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (75%), Black (7%) and Mixed (6%).
Staffing
Higher Failsworth Primary School had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 36 pupils: fewer teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Hollinwood (Manchester Metrolink), about 590 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).
10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wellington Street (opposite), 120 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Higher Failsworth Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 0.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Higher Failsworth Primary School are Co-op Academy Failsworth (0.5 miles) and Oasis Academy Oldham (1 mile).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils were overwhelmingly positive about this school. They described it as 'a kind, welcoming and caring school' where each and every one of them matters. Pupils, including children in the early years, are happy. They said that they feel safe because teachers really care about them.
Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are excellent. They are kind and considerate. Pupils display impeccable manners. They are highly respectful to one another and to staff. The school knows the needs of each pupil well. It provides effective support to those pupils who find it more difficult to manage their emotions.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Since the last inspection, the school has wasted no time in improving its curriculum. However, while these changes have been successful, current published data does not reflect the strengths of the school. In 2023, pupils' attainment in some subjects was significantly below national averages. Nonetheless, current pupils are benefiting from the strengthened curriculum, and most achieve well.
The school has a suitably ambitious curriculum and leaders have identified the essential knowledge that pupils should learn. Most staff demonstrate strong subject knowledge. In many subjects, staff give clear explanations when introducing new topics and concepts, using subject-specific vocabulary as appropriate. Staff routinely check what pupils have remembered.
From Ofsted's July 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its July 2024 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
30.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 67% to 55% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 68% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 69% to 53% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
26.9
Avg class size
24.6
Infant (KS1)
27.7
KS2
13
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Higher Failsworth Primary School
Getting There
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Higher Failsworth Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Higher Failsworth Primary School is in Oldham; for families living there:
Apply to Oldham for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 13
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 13 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 12 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
1 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 Oldham is 14 (the median across 129 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
Your chances of a place at Higher Failsworth Primary School
Will you get a place at Higher Failsworth Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Higher Failsworth Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Higher Failsworth Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Higher Failsworth Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Oldham, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Higher Failsworth Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Oldham got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
94%
Near capacity
396 pupils
420 places
24 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Oldham
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Oldham
Across Oldham council
Places available
3,927
Applications
2,814
Got 1st preference
92.0%
Got preferred school
98.4%
All primary applications across Oldham council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(7)
Ungraded inspection: The school remains Good, but Ofsted raised concerns; its next inspection will be a full graded one.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
51
SEN Support
13
EHC Plans
16.2%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
396
Total Pupils
207
Boys
189
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
11
Teachers
36.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£51,431
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,535
Per pupil
£2457k
Total funding
£171k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.2%
Overall absence
13.6%
Persistent absence
352
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Higher Failsworth Primary School
Questions parents ask about Higher Failsworth Primary School
What are SATs results like at Higher Failsworth Primary School?
Of the pupils at Higher Failsworth Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 55% reached the expected standard in reading and 68% did so in maths.
What is Higher Failsworth Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Higher Failsworth Primary School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2024.
What is the catchment area for Higher Failsworth Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Higher Failsworth Primary School is oversubscribed, Oldham allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Higher Failsworth Primary School?
Higher Failsworth Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 94% of its 420 places.
How big are the classes at Higher Failsworth Primary School?
Classes at Higher Failsworth Primary School average 26.9 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Higher Failsworth Primary School?
Higher Failsworth Primary School has around 396 pupils on roll. 31% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Higher Failsworth Primary School?
5.2% of sessions were missed at Higher Failsworth Primary School in 2024/25. 13.6% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Higher Failsworth Primary School?
Apply through Oldham's coordinated admissions process, naming Higher Failsworth Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Higher Failsworth Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 13 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 12 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 1 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 Oldham is 14 (the median across 129 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Higher Failsworth Primary School?
Higher Failsworth Primary School is at Stansfield Road, Failsworth, Oldham, Greater Manchester, M35 9EA.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)