Broadoak Primary School Review 2026: Outstanding Salford primary with top-tier KS2 outcomes

High attainment is the headline here. In 2024, 96% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, far above the England average of 62%. The same cohort’s scaled scores were 109 for reading and 109 for mathematics, with grammar, punctuation and spelling at 110. Those figures sit alongside a strong higher standard picture, 39.67% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with 8% across England.

That academic strength shows up in the proprietary FindMySchool rankings based on official data. Broadoak ranks 699th in England for primary outcomes and 13th in Manchester, placing it well above England average (top 10%).

The school’s current inspection profile matches the data. The latest graded inspection (23 and 24 April 2024) judged the school Outstanding across all areas, including early years provision.

Broadoak’s identity is rooted in being a large, well-established local school with a clear set of routines and high expectations. Official inspection evidence points to pupils who feel settled, behave exceptionally well, and show consistently positive attitudes to learning. Staff-pupil relationships are described as respectful and warm, and the overall culture reads as calm, purposeful and inclusive of a wide range of learners.

Leadership is stable, which matters in primary education because consistency tends to drive curriculum coherence and staff retention. The headteacher is Karen Wild, and the school’s published governance information records her in post as headteacher and trustee from 01 September 2014.

There is also a practical, school-specific language around learning. The “Broadoak Backpacks” concept appears as a core organising idea, used to describe the knowledge, vocabulary and skills pupils build across the curriculum and take with them when they leave. It is a helpful framing for parents because it suggests curriculum sequencing is deliberate rather than incidental.

Start with the combined measure most parents care about at key stage 2. In 2024, 96% reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with 62% across England. The higher standard rate is also striking, 39.67% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with 8% across England.

The scaled score profile reinforces that this was not a one-subject spike. Reading averaged 109 and mathematics averaged 109, both well above the typical England benchmark of 100 used for scaled scores. Grammar, punctuation and spelling averaged 110.

FindMySchool’s rankings based on official data place the school 699th in England for primary outcomes and 13th in Manchester. That equates to performance well above England average (top 10%). Parents comparing nearby schools can use the FindMySchool Local Hub comparison tools to view these measures side-by-side rather than relying on anecdotes.

The most recent inspection describes an aspirational curriculum where key knowledge and vocabulary have been carefully mapped for each year group, supported by a culture of pupils who are eager to do well and who respond positively to challenge.

One useful indicator of how a curriculum really operates is what inspectors choose to “deep dive”. In April 2024, the subject deep dives included early reading, mathematics, music, computing and history. That combination often reflects a school that is paying attention not only to English and maths outcomes, but also to breadth and progression in foundation subjects.

For families, the implication is straightforward. If your child thrives on structure and clear expectations, this setting is likely to feel motivating. If your child needs additional reassurance, the consistency of routines and the strong behaviour culture can also be supportive, as long as home and school are aligned on expectations.

As a Salford primary, Broadoak’s pupils typically transfer to local secondary schools at 11, following the local authority’s coordinated admissions process. The school’s own admissions information describes the expected move to local secondary provision at that point.

A practical clue about transition routes appears in local secondary-school transition materials. Moorside High School’s primary transition information lists Broadoak among its partner primary schools, which usually indicates established liaison, shared transition work and regular pupil familiarisation.

For parents making plans now, timing is important. Salford’s secondary application window for September 2026 entry opened on 01 September 2025 and closed on 31 October 2025, with offers released on 02 March 2026.

Demand is high for Reception places. For the most recent admissions cycle there were 195 applications for 60 offers, and the school is recorded as oversubscribed. Put another way, that is 3.25 applications per place, so families should plan on competition being the norm rather than the exception.

Reception admissions are coordinated by Salford City Council. For September 2026 entry, the published closing date for on-time applications is 15 January 2026. Late applications are processed after on-time ones, which can materially reduce the chance of securing a preferred school.

Because last offered distance data is not available here, it is sensible to be cautious about relying on proximity assumptions without checking. Families shortlisting the school should use FindMySchool’s Map Search tools to measure their exact home-to-school distance consistently, then stress-test the plan against other local options as well.

Nursery entry is handled separately from Reception. The school’s admissions information states that children can be admitted to Nursery at age three, provided they turn three before 31 August in the year they are admitted, and that Nursery-to-Reception transfer is not automatic, families still need to apply for Reception through the local authority route.

A strong behaviour culture can be a pastoral strength when it is paired with respectful relationships and clear adult guidance. The most recent inspection evidence describes exemplary behaviour and pupils who get along well and look out for one another, which is usually a marker of consistent expectations across classes and year groups.

Transition support is also addressed, particularly for pupils with additional needs. The school’s published special educational needs information describes proactive liaison between staff and receiving secondary schools, plus focused transition learning where needed and multiple visits where possible.

For parents, the practical takeaway is that pastoral care here is likely to feel organised rather than improvised. If your child benefits from predictable routines, that can reduce anxiety and support learning.

The extracurricular programme is concrete rather than vague, and the school publishes a detailed timetable of clubs. In Spring Term 2026, after-school clubs listed include Dodgeball, Into Film, Art and Crafts, Food Technology, Multi-Sports, Key Stage 1 Football, Lower Key Stage 2 Football, Key Stage 2 Computing, Key Stage 1 Lego, Key Stage 1 Science, Key Stage 2 Choir, and a Key Stage 2 Youth Club. The same published timetable shows places are capped by club, which typically matters for fairness and for managing staff ratios safely.

A programme like this has a simple implication. Pupils can access enrichment that reinforces both academic confidence (for example, computing, science, film and creative clubs) and broader personal development (team sport, choir, youth club). In primary settings, those structured experiences often help pupils practise turn-taking, resilience and confidence in low-stakes environments.

Costs are transparent for some activities. The published Spring Term 2026 timetable lists after-school clubs at £4.00 per session, booked via the school’s payment system.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should still plan for the usual associated costs such as uniform, trips and optional clubs where applicable.

Wraparound childcare is available through an on-site provider. Public directory information for Playkidds at Broadoak lists sessions running 7.00am to 9.00am before school and 3.30pm to 6.00pm after school on weekdays.

School-day start and finish times are not confirmed in the accessible sources used for this review. Parents who need precise timings for transport or childcare planning should request the current daily schedule directly from the school.

• Competition for places. With 195 applications for 60 offers and an oversubscribed status admission is a meaningful hurdle. Families should keep realistic backup options live.

• High expectations can feel intense for some pupils. The school’s strongest feature is its academic and behavioural consistency; children who need a looser, lower-demand environment may require more reassurance at home.

• Nursery does not guarantee Reception. Nursery entry is separate, and families still need to apply through the local authority for Reception.

• Clubs have capped places. The programme is substantial, but popular options can fill quickly, so parents should be ready for booking windows.

Broadoak Primary School combines unusually strong KS2 outcomes with an Outstanding inspection profile and a structured, well-organised school culture. It suits families who value clear expectations, consistent routines and academic stretch alongside a practical extracurricular offer. The main challenge lies in admission, so the best approach is to treat it as a high-priority option within a wider shortlist rather than as a single-plan choice.