Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up High Demand emoji_events #1 in Oldham public Top 4% UK

The Blue Coat CofE School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Rob Higgins

corporate_fareCRANMER EDUCATION TRUST

location_onOldham, OL1 3SQ

language Visit Website phone 1616241484

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2022

groups

Students

1,680

trending_up

Attainment 8

59.1

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GCSE Rank

#1 in Oldham

#273 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Blue Coat CofE School is a Academy converter secondary school in Oldham, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Highly competitive: 2.5× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

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School Summary

The Blue Coat CofE School is an academy converter in Oldham, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of CRANMER EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 1,669 pupils on roll, of whom 17% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 59.1, placing the school #1 in Oldham and #273 of 3,216 nationally. 73.60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 32.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 24 A-level subjects. 52.5% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 26.3% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.17 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2022. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 2.5× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.9 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

59.1

Grade 5+ E&M

73.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)32.5%

Entering EBacc88.40%

EBacc APS5.49

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.5

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc91.10%

EBacc APS5.21

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.57

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

57.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc96%

EBacc APS5.27

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.78

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

61.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc91%

EBacc APS5.72

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc86%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.35

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc87%

EBacc APS4.91

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.52

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc88%

EBacc APS5.21

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.17

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

220

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*6.8%

Achieving A*–A26.3%

Achieving A*–B52.5%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate98.2%

A-level subjects offered24

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.09

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

223

Retention rate96.40%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

215

Retention rate94.90%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

192

Retention rate97.4%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

29 November 2022

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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08 December 2011

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2022-11-29

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2011-12-08

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2008-02-28

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

0.8%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.7%(12 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,669 pupils. During this period, there were 14 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.8%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,669	14	0.8%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,670	17	1.0%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,697	30	1.8%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,692	28	1.7%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,695	19	1.1%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,683	18	1.1%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,680	21	1.2%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,685	16	0.9%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,675	17	1.0%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,683	11	0.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,687	9	0.5%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,718	17	1.0%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,720	5	0.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,722	21	1.2%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,714	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,714	18	1.1%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,714	19	1.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,684	16	1.0%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,683	29	1.7%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,686	30	1.8%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,630	21	1.3%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,640	16	1.0%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,639	7	0.4%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,583	10	0.6%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,593	20	1.3%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,597	10	0.6%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 43 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 34 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 25 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 18 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 8 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 7 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

92.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

93.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

14.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree60%

agree32%

disagree4%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree46%

agree39%

disagree11%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree39%

agree19%

disagree5%

strongly disagree4%

don't know2%

not applicable31%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes14%

no86%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree45%

agree30%

disagree10%

strongly disagree10%

dont know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree73%

agree20%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree59%

agree31%

disagree5%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree53%

agree37%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree65%

agree31%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree62%

agree30%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree54%

agree32%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know4%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes92%

no8%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Church of England)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Oldham

E-ACT the Oldham Academy North

The Crompton House Church of England Academy

North Chadderton School

Oasis Academy Oldham

Co-op Academy Failsworth

Oasis Academy Leesbrook