St Agnes Church of England Primary School Review 2026: Strong Academic Results in a Tightly Knit Community

When visitors arrive at St Agnes, what strikes them first is the palpable sense of organisation and purpose. The Victorian gates, bearing the etched motto from 1881, still frame an entrance that welcomes families into a school where tradition and contemporary educational rigour coexist seamlessly. With just over 100 pupils distributed across year groups from Reception through Year 6, St Agnes operates at an intimate scale that allows staff to know every child by name. The school's KS2 results place it in the top 6% of England's primary schools (FindMySchool ranking: 866th nationally), with 79% of pupils meeting expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics compared to the England average of 62%. This sustained academic performance has established St Agnes as a sought-after choice for families in the Lees area of Oldham, though places remain fiercely competitive.

The school's character is unmistakably shaped by its Church of England foundation and its explicit commitment to Christian values. The entrance displays six core values — Responsibility, Creativity, Forgiveness, Perseverance, Hope and Thankfulness, and Friendship — which form the genuine backdrop to school life rather than merely decorative text. Miss Sarah Butterworth has led the school since her appointment as headteacher, and under her leadership the school has maintained consistent Good ratings from Ofsted whilst deepening the curriculum's academic ambition.

The atmosphere combines firmness with genuine warmth. Staff relationships with families are strong, with parents describing the school in online forums as accessible and genuinely committed to their children's welfare. The school explicitly positions itself as a Rights Respecting School and Peace Mala school, meanings that the rights of every child and the celebration of all faiths and backgrounds are woven through practice. In the latest inspection, pupils reported that bullying is rare and quickly addressed. Behaviour is described by recent inspections as good, with pupils acknowledging that when conflicts arise, teachers sort them promptly.

The school provides "the calm place," a dedicated emotional support space for pupils who struggle to manage their emotions. This reflects a deliberate investment in mental health and pastoral wellbeing alongside academic rigour. The small size means transitions between year groups are gentle, and children moving from the on-site Reception provision into Year 1 already understand the culture and expectations.

Reading, Writing and Mathematics

In the most recent published data (2024 assessment cycle), 79% of pupils met expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to 62% nationally. This represents a 17%age point advantage over the England average. Reading showed particular strength, with a scaled score of 110 (the England average is 100), whilst mathematics achieved 109 and grammar, punctuation and spelling 109. These scores indicate not only that pupils meet the expected standard but that they exceed it by meaningful margins.

At the higher standard (greater depth), 27% of pupils achieved above-expected levels in reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to only 8% nationally. This is a striking differential and reflects the school's capacity to stretch able pupils effectively. In science, 88% reached the expected standard, marginally above the England average of 82%.

National Ranking and Performance Context

The school ranks 866th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6% nationally and well above the middle range of schools. Locally, it ranks 5th among Oldham primary schools, a position of considerable distinction. These rankings reflect consistent rather than volatile performance; the school has maintained a Good inspection rating for over a decade, indicating sustained quality.

Teaching is structured and expectations are clear. Recent inspections affirm that leaders have invested in securing strong subject knowledge among staff, particularly in mathematics. Teachers follow planned curricula that build pupils' understanding systematically from year to year. Pupils relish listening to stories and reading books, with phonics instruction ensuring that by the end of Year 1, the majority of pupils reach the expected standard in the national phonics screening check.

The curriculum extends beyond the core academic subjects. French is taught from Year 1 by a specialist, offering early language exposure. Setting in mathematics begins in Year 4, allowing more targeted teaching as pupils' needs differentiate. In the final term before KS2 assessments, the school provides additional morning sessions in English and mathematics to consolidate learning and build pupil confidence.

Pupils with SEND receive support that is tailored and purposeful. Staff know these pupils well, working closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure appropriate provision. Skilled teaching assistants help pupils who fall behind to catch up, though the school makes clear this is prevention-focused rather than remedial — strong quality-first teaching is the foundation.

The vast majority of pupils progress to Highdown School, a non-selective secondary school serving the locality, or sit entrance assessments for grammar schools — Reading School and Kendrick School are the nearby selective options. In recent cohorts, approximately 15 pupils per year have secured grammar school places, though this varies depending on the cohort's composition and individual ability.

The school does not offer intensive 11-plus coaching internally. Rather, it provides familiarisation sessions to help pupils understand the format and demands of entrance assessments. Families pursuing grammar school entry typically arrange additional tutoring externally, and the school acknowledges this is near-universal for families in the catchment area seeking selective secondary places. This creates a clear culture around selective school preparation, which some families appreciate and others find pressured — a consideration for prospective families.

The school's consistent academic performance and the strength of its KS2 results mean that pupils are well-prepared for transition to any secondary school, whether selective or not.

Although the school's website does not provide exhaustive listing of clubs and activities, several named programmes are evident from school communications and inspections. The school operates a flexible extracurricular programme with clubs running on designated days throughout the year, allowing staff to manage sustainability and pupil choice.

Music plays a central role. All Year 4 pupils learn recorder, and those demonstrating aptitude and interest can progress to other instruments, either through school teaching or via specialist peripatetic tutors. The school delivers a termly cycle of enrichment that culminates in significant annual events. The Christmas production is whole-school, involving performance and collaboration across year groups. A residential visit for Year 6 to the Isle of Wight is a significant experience, providing pupils with independence, teamwork, and outdoor learning. Sports Day is held at Palmer Park, with inter-house competition adding fun and breadth to physical education.

Within the primary curriculum, pupils engage in art, design technology, science investigations, and topic-led learning that integrates multiple subjects. The school explicitly notes that design and technology curricula are still being developed by leadership, suggesting conscious effort to deepen provision in foundation subjects beyond the core academic focus.

Reading is prioritised. The school encourages pupils to select books that genuinely interest them and provides time and space for independent reading. Teachers model enthusiasm for texts, helping pupils develop both fluency and love of reading.

St Agnes is a voluntary aided Church of England school with a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 14 for Reception entry, meaning one class of approximately 14 pupils enters each year. The school is consistently oversubscribed. In recent admissions cycles, approximately 39 applications have been received for 14 places, a ratio of 2.79 applications per place. This strong demand reflects the school's Good Ofsted rating and academic results.

After looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, places are allocated by straight-line distance from the school gates. There is no formal catchment boundary. The oversubscription means that proximity is the determining factor, and places are allocated solely based on which pupils live closest to the school.

The school's admissions policy reflects its Church of England character. Families should confirm their understanding of the school's Christian ethos and how this shapes daily life (prayer, Christian teaching, values education). The school works in partnership with the Diocese of Manchester, and whilst not all pupils need be Christian, the school's explicitly Christian environment should be right for families' values and beliefs.

School hours: 8:50am to 3:20pm.

The school does not offer on-site nursery provision. Wraparound care is not formally advertised on the school website; parents should contact the school directly for information about breakfast club, after-school childcare, or holiday provision if needed.

There are no on-site parking facilities mentioned, and the school is located on Knolls Lane in Lees, a residential area. Families should plan for walking or drop-off via local roads. The school is served by bus routes but should be verified with local transport information for up-to-date routes and timings.

Uniform is compulsory. The school website does not detail uniform costs; families should request a uniform list from the school directly.

The school provides well for pupils' mental health. The dedicated "calm place" offers additional emotional support for pupils struggling to manage emotions or anxiety. Referrals are made through class teachers, and the space operates within the school day.

Behaviour policy is explicit and consistently applied. The school does not tolerate bullying, and pupils feel confident that adults will address conflicts fairly and promptly. Rewards and sanctions are clear and understood by pupils.

SENCO Miss Sarah Butterworth (also the headteacher) holds direct responsibility for SEND provision and maintains close contact with parents. The school supports pupils with a range of needs within mainstream provision, though specialist provision for particular conditions should be discussed with the school directly before application.

The school's inspection feedback notes that leaders consider the work-life balance of teachers, and staff report feeling supported and excited to work at St Agnes. This positive staff culture is protective of pupil wellbeing, as teacher morale typically correlates with classroom atmosphere.

Oversubscription pressure. With almost three applications per place, entry is highly competitive. Distance from the school gates is the determining factor after siblings and looked-after children. Families should verify their current or planned proximity to the school before assuming a place is likely. The last distance offered varies annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Church of England character. The school's Christian values are genuine and pervasive. Prayer and Christian teaching are part of daily school life. Families uncomfortable with religious education or who hold secular worldviews should consider whether this ethos is right for them. The school is welcoming to families of all faiths and none, but the Christian foundation is non-negotiable.

No nursery provision. Families seeking on-site early years care will need to arrange external nursery provision. Reception entry is the first point at which the school admits pupils.

Grammar school culture. The proximity to selective secondaries and the school's strong results create a culture where selective school entry is common. Whilst the school does not mandate or intensively coach for grammar entry, many families pursue this route independently. Pupils and families should be comfortable with this context.

St Agnes delivers strong primary education rooted in Christian values, within an intimate community where staff know every child well. Results consistently exceed national averages, behaviour is good, and the pastoral environment supports both academic and personal development. The school is best suited to families within the tight catchment who are comfortable with the school's Church of England character and who value strong, sustained academic progress supported by explicit moral and emotional development. The main challenge is securing a place; those who are admitted to this over-subscribed school find themselves in a genuinely caring environment where high standards are non-negotiable.