Rushcroft Primary School Review 2026: Strong KS2 outcomes and a calm, purposeful feel

A primary where expectations are clear and routines seem to work. The latest inspection kept the school at Good, and confirmed safeguarding is effective.

Academically, the most recent published Key Stage 2 picture is notably positive. In 2024, 81.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 18.67% achieved greater depth, above the England average of 8%. On FindMySchool’s rankings (based on official data), the school is ranked 2,048th in England and 8th in Oldham for primary outcomes, which places it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

For families juggling work hours, wraparound care is a real practical strength, with a named offer and published session times and prices.

The tone is set by a leadership model that spans more than one school. Rushcroft sits within The Ivory Federation, a partnership of three schools, with Mrs Kay as Executive Headteacher working across the federation. On the staffing page, the day-to-day safeguarding lead is listed as the Head of School, alongside assistant headteachers and a federation SENCo.

The school’s stated priorities foreground both achievement and wellbeing. The vision statement talks about a happy, caring and safe environment, alongside high standards and support for emotional health and mental wellbeing. In practice, the latest inspection narrative aligns with that intent: pupils are described as arriving happy and ready to learn; behaviour in lessons is calm; and relationships between staff and pupils are positive.

There is also a distinct “bring learning to life” thread running through the wider offer. The inspection notes carefully planned trips (including Jodrell Bank) and opportunities beyond the standard day; pupils talk positively about clubs and visits that connect to curriculum work.

The latest published Key Stage 2 results give parents a clear benchmark.

Attainment at the expected standard (2024)

• Reading, writing and maths combined: 81.33%, versus 62% across England.

• Science expected standard: 88%, versus 82% across England.

Higher standard (greater depth)

• 18.67% reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an England average of 8%.

Scaled scores (2024)

• Reading: 106

• Maths: 107

• Grammar, punctuation and spelling: 111

How that compares in context

• FindMySchool’s primary ranking places the school 2,048th in England and 8th in Oldham, which indicates performance above England average and within the top quartile nationally. (These are FindMySchool rankings derived from official data, intended for like-for-like comparison.)

What this usually means for families is consistency. Strong combined attainment suggests fewer children are falling through the gaps at the end of Key Stage 2, and the scaled score profile indicates solid strength in core literacy and numeracy rather than a single standout area.

Curriculum intent is described in ambitious terms, and the supporting detail matters. Leaders have mapped important knowledge from the early years upwards, and teachers use activities designed to check what pupils have remembered as learning builds over time.

Reading is positioned as a core pillar. Children begin learning to read in Reception, with trained staff delivering phonics and quick intervention for those who need to catch up. The inspection also highlights an investment in books and a library that pupils want to use, which is often a useful signal of reading culture rather than compliance.

Beyond English and maths, there is evidence of subject-specific ambition. The school’s science page points to recognition through the Primary Science Quality Mark, Gilt award, a marker that typically reflects sustained subject leadership and classroom practice rather than a one-off event.

One area to watch is curriculum consistency across all subjects. The inspection notes that, in a small number of subjects, not enough is done to identify the few pupils who are not retaining earlier learning, which can affect how securely knowledge accumulates for those children over time.

As a primary, the key transition is into Year 7. The local authority coordinates secondary applications and publishes a timetable for the admissions cycle, including opening dates, the closing date for on-time applications, and offer notification dates.

In practical terms, families usually start exploring options early in Year 6, especially if they are considering faith-based admissions routes that may require supplementary forms. For most families, the best preparation is not academic acceleration, but readiness: independence with organisation, reading stamina, and confidence travelling to and from school.

Rushcroft is a community primary school, so admissions sit with the local authority rather than being handled directly by the school.

Demand (most recent available intake data)

• 34 applications for 16 offers, which equates to 2.13 applications per place.

• The school is recorded as oversubscribed on the latest demand snapshot.

Planned Admission Number (Reception)

• Oldham’s published policy lists a PAN of 30 for September 2026 for Rushcroft.

Oversubscription priorities (Oldham community and voluntary controlled primaries)

If applications exceed places, Oldham applies criteria in priority order. After children with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school, the policy prioritises:

1. looked after and previously looked after children,

2. exceptional medical or welfare reasons supported by evidence,

3. siblings already attending,

4. proximity, measured as a straight-line distance using GIS mapping from home postcode to the school postcode.

Key dates for Reception entry (September 2026 cycle, Oldham residents)

• Applications open: 01 September 2025

• Applications close: 5.00pm, 15 January 2026

• Decisions notified: 16 April 2026

Parents who like to sanity-check their position should use FindMySchool’s Map Search to understand their likely straight-line distance compared with typical local patterns, and the Comparison Tool to weigh nearby alternatives on outcomes and inspection history.

Safeguarding is described as a strength, and the mechanisms are clearly stated. Inspectors found that safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong safeguarding culture, regular staff training, and prompt action when concerns are raised.

Beyond safeguarding, the personal development offer appears structured. Pupils have opportunities to take on leadership roles, and the wider programme includes learning about different religions and families, plus regular work on British values. The website also signals a deliberate emphasis on emotional health and mental wellbeing, including named wellbeing initiatives and resources for families.

For children with additional needs, the inspection notes quick identification, work with outside agencies, and adaptations that allow pupils with SEND to access the full curriculum.

Clubs are not left vague. The website lists named after-school options including Choir, Homework, Football, Multi-Sports, Band, Dance, and Computing. Those names matter because they hint at the shape of the offer: some children will want performance and music; others will value a structured homework club; others will be happiest in team sport.

There are also practical details, which usually correlate with smooth delivery. Clubs are stated to run after school, typically finishing at 4.15pm, with Band finishing at 4:00pm. That makes it easier for families to judge whether clubs can work alongside pickup arrangements.

Trips and enrichment appear to be part of how learning is made memorable. The inspection describes a recent trip to France that linked to curriculum learning, and references visits such as Jodrell Bank. On the sports side, the school’s noticeboard highlights a Platinum Sports Award, signalling sustained attention to participation and provision rather than a single tournament win.

The published school day timings are clear:

• Reception and Key Stage 1: 8:45am to 3:15pm

• Key Stage 2: 8:45am to 3:20pm

Wraparound care is branded as Rushcroft Owls, with published capacity and session details:

• Morning session (Monday to Friday): 7:30am to 8:40am, £4.50 (breakfast included)

• Afternoon session (Monday to Thursday): 3:15pm to 5:45pm, £7.00 (snack included)

• The club states 40 places and notes that places are limited.

For travel, Shaw has Metrolink connectivity via the Shaw and Crompton stop, which many families use as the nearest tram link into central Manchester and beyond.

• Oversubscription reality. With 34 applications for 16 offers in the latest demand snapshot, competition is meaningful. If you are not very local, have a realistic Plan B list when you apply.

• Wraparound places are finite. Rushcroft Owls is explicitly capped at 40 places, and the school notes that places can be limited. Families who need wraparound every day should explore availability early.

• One improvement point to probe. The latest inspection flags a small number of subjects where identification of pupils not retaining prior learning needs sharpening. Ask how leaders check retention across the full curriculum, not only in English and maths.

• No nursery provision. Entry starts at Reception, so families needing nursery care will need separate early years arrangements.

Rushcroft Primary School combines a calm behavioural culture with strong end-of-Key Stage 2 attainment, and the practical wraparound offer will matter for many working families. It suits parents who want clear expectations, a reading-led curriculum, and structured opportunities beyond lessons, including music and sport. The main constraint is admission, because demand can outstrip places, so planning alternatives is sensible.