Greenfield St Mary's Church of England Primary School Review 2026: More Than 140 Years at the Heart of the Community

When parishioners of St Mary's Church founded this school in 1884, they established something that has endured for nearly 140 years. Today, Greenfield St Mary's continues to serve approximately 180 pupils aged four to eleven in the Greenfield area of Oldham, Greater Manchester. In the most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2024, the school was rated Good across all areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Key Stage 2 results demonstrate consistent strength: 82% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 61%. The school's Catholic ethos of developing the whole child is embedded throughout daily practice, reflected in strong attendance rates (98%) and a pastoral approach that places individual wellbeing at the centre of school life.

The school's Church of England identity is woven into the fabric of community life at Greenfield St Mary's. Regular worship and prayer are integral to the school day, with collective gatherings helping to build a sense of shared values. Staff describe the school as a "warm, welcoming, friendly place" where high expectations of behaviour and academic standards are supported by genuine care for each child's development.

Mrs Suzanne Hall has been headteacher since February 2017, bringing consistent leadership and a focus on enriching learning experiences. Under her stewardship, the school has maintained its Good rating through the most recent inspection cycle, with particular strengths identified in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and personal development provision.

The physical environment reflects careful investment. The school occupies an extended campus on Manchester Road, with the original Victorian building thoughtfully modified to accommodate modern learning. Pupils benefit from an extended hard play area that includes an outdoor stage — a distinctive feature that underlines the school's commitment to creative expression and performance. A dedicated trim trail and playing fields provide outdoor space for physical activity and exploration. These facilities demonstrate the school's commitment to supporting the whole child beyond the classroom.

Key Stage 2 Performance

The school's academic results place it in a strong position locally and nationally. In 2024, 82% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined — significantly above the England average of 61%. This 21-percentage-point gap reflects rigorous teaching and consistent progress across the primary phase.

Reading results are particularly strong. The scaled score of 110 exceeds the England average of 100, indicating pupils are reading with confidence and comprehension well above the national benchmark. In grammar, punctuation and spelling, 90% of pupils met the expected standard, with 52% achieving the higher standard — placing the school in the top tier for this core skill. Mathematics results (scaled score 108) also exceed the England average, with 83% of pupils working at the expected level.

The school's performance at greater depth is notable. Just 47% of pupils achieved the higher standard across reading, mathematics, and spelling, compared to only 8% nationally. This demonstrates that the school is supporting not only pupils meeting expected standards but also those working at greater depth, stretching their thinking and extending their learning. In science, 93% of pupils reached the expected standard, also above the England average of 82%.

The school ranks 677th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 2nd in Oldham, placing it in the top tier locally and well above England averages nationally.

Teaching follows clear, structured approaches that prioritise both academic rigour and pastoral support. Ofsted noted that teachers identify and act on misunderstandings quickly, ensuring pupils do not progress with gaps in their knowledge. Assessment strategies are appropriate and informative, helping teachers tailor teaching to individual needs.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, with English, mathematics, science, and information and communication technology at the core. Language learning begins in Key Stage 1, reflecting the school's commitment to expanding pupils' horizons beyond the immediate locality. Differentiated learning is a hallmark of classroom practice, with teaching ranging from whole-class lessons to small group and individual work using appropriate materials and resources.

Pupils are actively encouraged towards lifelong learning. The school places great emphasis on fostering personal and social development, recognising that as children mature, responsibility, independence, and self-reliance must be deliberately cultivated. This philosophy ensures that academic progress is coupled with character development, preparing pupils not only for secondary school but for broader participation in society.

Extracurricular life at Greenfield St Mary's supports the whole child through a range of clubs and activities. The school runs a structured programme of after-school clubs that are available throughout the academic year, complemented by a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care extending until 6pm — known as St Mary's Diamonds. This wraparound provision is invaluable for working families and enables pupils to access structured support before and after the school day.

Named clubs include languages, football, gardening, and a specialist music provision where selected pupils learn instruments under qualified tuition. The music programme is notable in its breadth, with over half the pupils in Key Stage 2 learning an instrument, either recorder in group lessons or individual tuition in other instruments. This high participation reflects the school's commitment to developing musical understanding and discipline alongside academic work.

Drama and performance are encouraged through the outdoor stage area, where pupils have opportunities to perform in informal settings. This built-in facility signals the school's belief that all pupils should experience the confidence-building benefits of performance, whether in small informal groups or larger school events.

Physical activity is embedded in daily life. Access to extended hard play areas encourages movement and play at break times, while the trim trail provides structured outdoor fitness challenges. Regular Physical Education lessons follow the national curriculum, with competitive and non-competitive sports offered to suit different interests and abilities.

The school is a member of The Dovestone Learning Partnership, a collaborative group of local schools. This partnership enables resource-sharing, professional development, and cross-school initiatives that benefit pupils and staff alike. Through this network, Greenfield St Mary's connects with neighbouring schools to enhance provision and broaden opportunities for pupils.

Pupils from Greenfield St Mary's progress to secondary schools across Oldham and the surrounding area. The largest proportion move to Saddleworth School, the comprehensive secondary in the immediate catchment. Others secure places at grammar schools following the 11-plus examination, with a small but consistent number each year achieving grammar school entry. The school provides familiarisation with 11-plus style questions but does not offer intensive preparation, leaving that choice to families who wish to pursue it.

Staff maintain communication with feeder secondary schools to ensure smooth transitions. Year 6 pupils participate in transition days, meeting staff and familiarising themselves with new buildings and routines well before September arrival.

Greenfield St Mary's is a voluntary aided Church of England primary school. Places are allocated through Oldham's coordinated admissions process. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with 47 applications received for 16 Reception places in 2024 — a ratio of nearly 3 to 1. All first preferences for places resulted in offers, indicating that demand is strongest from families very close to the school.

The Church of England character is reflected in the admissions criteria. While the school welcomes children from all backgrounds and faiths, there is a religious element to the admissions policy. Families should consult the school's admissions information or contact Oldham Local Authority for details of how faith criteria are weighted alongside other factors such as distance and siblings.

Parents interested in applying should note that the school runs no formal catchment area; places are allocated primarily by distance. This means a house move or relocation may affect admission prospects. The school advises early contact with Oldham's admissions team to discuss likely distances and prospects in your specific circumstances.

Pastoral care is a genuine strength. The school places children at the centre of all decision-making, as stated explicitly in its mission. Teaching and support staff are described as "highly professional and dedicated," and this commitment shows in daily interactions. Behaviour expectations are clear, consistently applied, and supported by strong relationships between staff and pupils. The Ofsted inspection confirmed that behaviour and attitudes are Good, reflecting the school's success in creating an orderly and respectful community.

A trained counsellor visits weekly to provide additional emotional support for pupils who need it. This targeted provision ensures that wellbeing concerns are identified early and addressed with appropriate expertise. The small school size — approximately 178 pupils in seven classrooms — means staff know every child well, enabling early intervention where needed.

The school operates from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Breakfast club runs from 7:45am, and after-school club (St Mary's Diamonds) is available until 6:00pm. Holiday club operates during main school holidays, supporting families with childcare needs throughout the year.

The school is accessible by car, with its own car park on the Manchester Road site. For families using public transport, the nearest bus stops serve local routes. Walking and cycling are viable for families within the immediate neighbourhood; the trim trail on school grounds encourages outdoor fitness for pupils arriving on foot.

School lunch is available at £2.00 per day, or children may bring a packed lunch. Uniform is required and contributes to the orderly atmosphere and sense of community within the school. Music lessons (for those learning individual instruments) incur additional costs, though group recorder lessons are part of the curriculum.

Oversubscription and distance. With three applications for every place, securing entry is competitive. The school is consistently full, and distance from the school gates is the primary factor in allocating places after looked-after children and those with siblings already in the school. Families relying on a place here should verify distances with Oldham admissions before making a house purchase or rental decision.

Religion and school culture. This is an active Church of England school where worship and prayer are regular features of the school day. While welcoming of all faiths and backgrounds, the religious character is genuine and pervasive. Families uncomfortable with Christian practice embedded in daily school life should consider this carefully.

Transport and travel. Greenfield is a village location, and the school's hinterland extends across a wide area of Oldham. Some pupils have significant journey times. The school operates a wraparound childcare service to mitigate childcare pressures, but families should factor travel time into their planning.

Greenfield St Mary's is a well-established primary serving its community with genuine care and academic rigour. The June 2024 Ofsted report confirms its Good status across all areas, while KS2 results significantly exceed England averages. The school successfully combines high academic expectations with a holistic approach to child development, where pastoral care and Christian values shape daily experience. Staff are stable and experienced, and the physical environment has been thoughtfully invested in to support learning and play.

Best suited to families living within the tight oversubscribed catchment who value a school where Christian community and individual attention are genuine hallmarks of provision. The main challenges are securing a place (given oversubscription) and accepting the active religious character embedded in school life. For families who value these elements, Greenfield St Mary's offers solid primary education rooted in nearly 140 years of community service.