Broadbottom Church of England Primary School Review 2026: Academic Excellence in a Village Setting

Broadbottom Church of England Primary School sits in the heart of Broadbottom village, where the Tameside valley begins its ascent into the Peak District. Serving approximately 84 pupils, this small but highly effective voluntary controlled school is described by its community as having a big heart. The 2024 academic results place the school among the top tier of primaries in England, with performance that significantly exceeds local and England averages.

Mrs Joanne Marrow currently leads the school as headteacher, having navigated the institution through a period of significant growth and improvement. Following a requires improvement rating in 2021, the school was rated Good in all areas by Ofsted in July 2023. The school remains a central pillar of village life, maintaining close ties with the local parish and fulfilling its historical mission to educate local children. For families seeking a setting where intimacy is paired with exceptional academic outcomes, Broadbottom represents one of the strongest state school options in the region.

The atmosphere at Broadbottom is defined by its small scale and its stone-built heritage on Mottram Road. Because the school is small, staff know every child individually, fostering a sense of security and belonging. The 2023 Ofsted report confirmed that pupils feel safe and valued, describing a school where older pupils naturally look out for younger peers.

The school values, rooted in the biblical phrase Let your light shine (Matthew 5:16), are reflected in the calm and orderly conduct of the pupils. Leaders have established a culture of high expectations, where behaviour is good and pupils are encouraged to be curious and resilient. The village setting allows for a curriculum that feels connected to the local Derbyshire and Tameside landscape, often using the surrounding area for geography and history studies.

The relationship between the school and the governing body has seen positive development recently, with governors working collaboratively with senior leaders to ensure the school is well managed. This common goal has translated into a stable, nurturing environment that balances academic ambition with strong pastoral support.

The academic performance at Broadbottom is exceptional. In 2024, 100% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is a flawless achievement compared to the England average of 62%.

At the higher standard, 33% of pupils achieved greater depth in reading, writing, and mathematics, significantly outperforming the England average of 8%. The school's reading scaled score of 110 and mathematics score of 107 both exceed national benchmarks.

Broadbottom ranks 541st in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the elite tier (top 4% in England). Locally, it ranks 1st among all primary schools in Hyde, making it the highest performing school in the immediate area.

Teaching at Broadbottom benefits directly from small class sizes, allowing for a level of individual attention that larger schools often struggle to replicate. The 2023 inspection found that leaders have identified the most important knowledge they want pupils to learn, considering the order of learning from the early years through to Year 6.

Reading is a cornerstone of the curriculum. Leaders provide a range of activities to foster a love of reading, including exciting book weeks and storytelling events. While the school library is well stocked, teachers are currently working on further broadening the range of texts pupils select to ensure exposure to diverse genres. In mathematics, pupils show high levels of engagement, and the curriculum is designed to ensure they are ready for the next stage of their education.

In the early years, children learn essential social skills, such as listening and not interrupting, which sets a strong foundation for future learning. Teachers use assessment effectively to check what pupils have learned, though leaders are continuing to refine these checks in a small number of subjects to ensure no important learning is missed.

Pastoral care is a natural strength here. The school's vision and values emphasize compassion and respect, which translates into a supportive environment for all children. Staff are quick to identify if a pupil needs extra help, and the inclusive ethos ensures that children with special educational needs (SEN) receive tailored support.

The SENCo, Mr Lewis Jowett, oversees the day to day provision for pupils with additional needs, ensuring that support is integrated into the classroom. The 2023 Ofsted findings highlighted that pupils appreciate the care they receive and feel empowered to express themselves. Emotional resilience is encouraged through collective worship and a focus on mental health and wellbeing.

Despite its size, Broadbottom offers a range of enrichment activities that make use of its local environment and community links.

• STEM Excellence: The school integrates science and technology into the curriculum, using the school grounds for hands-on investigation and data collection.
• Music and Arts: Pupils participate in choir and drama, with performances often held in local community spaces, strengthening the bond between the school and the village.
• Sports: The school makes use of its PE and Sports Premium to provide various athletic opportunities, participating in Tameside festivals and encouraging physical activity across all year groups.

Broadbottom Church of England Primary School is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent cycle, there were 19 applications for only 9 available places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 2.11 applications for every offer.

Admissions are coordinated by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council. Priority is given to looked after children, siblings, and those living closest to the school. For September 2026 entry, the application deadline is 15 January 2026, with National Offer Day on 16 April 2026. Given the small intake and high demand, living within the immediate village is typically a prerequisite for securing a place. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical offer data.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded voluntary controlled school, there are no tuition fees for pupils at Broadbottom. The school is funded by the local authority, and as such, does not offer bursaries or scholarships. Associated costs for families typically include school uniform, optional music lessons, and school trips, for which the school may request voluntary contributions. Eligible families can apply for free school meals and the Pupil Premium, which provides additional funding to the school to support the child's learning.

Most pupils transition to secondary schools within the Hyde or Longdendale areas, such as Longdendale High School or Alder Community High School. The school works closely with these secondaries to ensure transition data is shared, helping pupils manage the change from a small village environment to a larger secondary setting.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school operates a Breakfast Club from 7:45am and an After School Club until 5:30pm to support working families. Broadbottom railway station is nearby, providing links to Manchester and Glossop, though parking near the school is very limited during drop off and pick up times.

• High Competition: With over two applications for every place, securing entry is the primary hurdle for local families.
• Small Peer Group: While the small size allows for high levels of care, it means children remain in a very small social circle for seven years.
• Traditional Building: The historical stone building is charming but lacks the expansive modern facilities of a larger suburban primary.

Broadbottom Church of England Primary is an academic powerhouse in a quiet village setting. It delivers results that rival the best schools in England while maintaining the warmth and security of a small community. Best suited to local families who want an intimate, faith based education with uncompromising academic standards. The challenge lies in admission rather than what follows.