Saddleworth School, Oldham
Saddleworth School is a secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Oldham, part of Cranmer Education Trust. Its 2026 GCSE results were the 3rd-highest of the 12 schools in Oldham with published results, and 1,084th of 3,298 across England. It was 94% full in 2025.
- GCSE results
- In line with England
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
Year 7 applications for September 2027 close in 5 days
Deadline Saturday 31 October 2026. Apply to Oldham (the council where you live). Offers on 1 March.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Saddleworth School in detail
Saddleworth School in its own words
In its own words: "For over 100 years, Saddleworth has been proud to serve its community - providing an excellent education and helping young people to achieve their very best. Our tradition is one of both academic success and care for the whole child."
Coming up: an open day on Friday 30 October 2026 at 9.15am, an open day on Monday 2 November 2026, an open day on Friday 6 November 2026 at 9.15am and an open day on Monday 9 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Oldham
Vision and values (school website)Open days on the school's site (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2026, pupils at Saddleworth School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.4 in Oldham and 47 across England.
55% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 40% in Oldham and 47% in England.
Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 39, against 52.7 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 13.7 points.
Pupils sat GCSEs in 30 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.
Getting a place at Saddleworth School
For September 2026 entry, 268 families put Saddleworth School as their first choice and 541 named it as one of their preferences, for 293 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 10 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Saddleworth School are Mossley Hollins High School (2.4 miles, Attainment 8 47); Co-op Academy Strinesdale (2.8 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 37.9); Oasis Academy Leesbrook (3.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.4); and St Damian's RC Science College (4.2 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 56).
Saddleworth School's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.
Mossley Hollins High SchoolCo-op Academy StrinesdaleOasis Academy LeesbrookSt Damian's RC Science College
The trust
Saddleworth School is one of 10 schools run by Cranmer Education Trust, an academy trust.
Where pupils go next
Of the 278 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 87% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 35% to a further education college, 6% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.
Who goes there
1.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (88%) and Mixed (5%).
In 2026, 182 pupils (12.6%) received SEN support and 39 (2.7%) 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.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Greenfield Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.
11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Uppermill Turning Area (at), 140 metres away.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Saddleworth School are St Chad's Church of England Primary School (0.2 miles), Holy Trinity CofE Dobcross Primary School (0.7 miles), Greenfield Primary School (1 mile) and Diggle School (1.3 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.
St Chad's Church of England Primary SchoolHoly Trinity CofE Dobcross Primary SchoolGreenfield Primary SchoolDiggle School
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Location
Our estimate from how close the nearest similar schools are and how oversubscribed the council's schools are. It is not a published boundary.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Saddleworth School has not been inspected by Ofsted since it took its current form in April 2025. Before that, as Saddleworth School (URN 105736), it was rated Requires Improvement in January 2024.
At a Glance
23.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
Academic year 2025/26GCSE Results
49.2
Attainment 8
54.7%
Eng+Maths 5+
2025/26 academic year
Performance by Group
| Group | Progress 8 | Attainment 8 | Eng+Maths 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| All pupils | - | 49.2 | 54.7% |
| Disadvantaged(68) | - | 39.0 | 30.9% |
| Not known to be disadvantaged(199) | - | 52.7 | 62.8% |
| Boys(133) | - | 48.8 | 56.4% |
| Girls(134) | - | 49.7 | 53% |
Show more breakdowns (2)
| Known or believed to be other than English(10) | - | 46.0 | 50% |
| Non mobile(262) | - | 49.8 | 55.7% |
2025/26 academic year - DfE performance tables data
GCSE Subjects Offered
+ 10 more subjects
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
After GCSEs - Leaver Destinations
After GCSEs (Year 11) - 278 students
2023/24 data
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby secondary schools
Keep up with Saddleworth School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Saddleworth School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Saddleworth 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
- 8
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 5 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 Saddleworth School
Will you get a place at Saddleworth School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Saddleworth School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Saddleworth School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Saddleworth School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Oldham, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Saddleworth School for 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.
£9.99 once
One school, inc. VAT. Or £19.99 for up to three schools.
Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time
A report for any school, plus everything else in Pro.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
94%
Near capacity
1,406 pupils
1,500 places
94 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
4,034
Applications
3,190
Got 1st preference
75.2%
Got preferred school
95.4%
All secondary applications across Oldham council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
182
SEN Support
39
EHC Plans
15.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
1,444
Total Pupils
735
Boys
709
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
88
Teachers
16.4:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£52,757
Mean salary
2026 data
Absence at Saddleworth School before it took its current form in 20252024/25
Published under the school's previous registration (URN 105736). There are no figures for it in its current form yet, so these are shown separately.
8.6%
Overall absence
23.2%
Persistent absence
1,438
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Saddleworth School
Questions parents ask about Saddleworth School
What are GCSE results like at Saddleworth School?
In the 2026 results, pupils at Saddleworth School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.2. 55% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is Saddleworth School's Ofsted rating?
Saddleworth School has not been inspected by Ofsted since it took its current form in April 2025. Before that, as Saddleworth School (URN 105736), it was rated Requires Improvement in January 2024.
What is the catchment area for Saddleworth School?
No fixed boundary. When Saddleworth 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 Saddleworth School?
Saddleworth School was not full in 2025: it ran at 94% of its 1500 places.
How big are the classes at Saddleworth School?
Classes at Saddleworth School average 24.1 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Saddleworth School?
Saddleworth School has around 1444 pupils on roll. 24% are eligible for free school meals.
How do I apply to Saddleworth School?
Apply through Oldham's coordinated admissions process, naming Saddleworth School on your application. Applications for Year 7 places starting in September 2027 close on Saturday 31 October 2026, and offers are made on Monday 1 March 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Saddleworth School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 5 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 Saddleworth School?
Saddleworth School is at Huddersfield Road, Diggle, Oldham, OL3 5NU.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)