Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy, Oldham

In its own words: "Newman College is a Catholic Secondary school serving Oldham and the surrounding areas. At Newman College we cultivate and celebrate our distinct Catholic nature through the promotion of 'Dignity and Excellence' for all members of our College family."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, hockey, tennis, athletics, basketball, dance, drama, choir and chess.

In 2026, pupils at Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.4 in Oldham and 47 across England.

38% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 40% in Oldham and 47% in England.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 42.9, against 49.2 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 6.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and History.

For September 2026 entry, 186 families put Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy as their first choice and 535 named it as one of their preferences, for 265 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy are The Radclyffe School (0.5 miles, Attainment 8 42.2); North Chadderton School (1.2 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 44.4); The Brian Clarke Church of England Academy (1.3 miles); and Dixons Middleton Academy (1.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.9).

Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy's 2026 results were higher than all 3 of them.

Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy is one of 38 schools run by Emmaus Catholic Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.9 in 2024/25.

77 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy (as of April 2026): 90% would recommend the school, 87% say their child is happy there and 55% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (90%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (55%).

Of the 297 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 89% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 45% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

37.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 31.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (56%), Black (16%) and Asian (13%).

The nearest tram or metro stop is Freehold (Manchester Metrolink), about 920 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Turning Area (near), 30 metres away.

The primary schools closest to Saint John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy are Christ Church CofE Primary School (0.3 miles); St Luke's CofE Primary School (0.4 miles); St Herbert's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy (0.6 miles); and Yew Tree Community School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.