The Crompton House Church of England Academy Review 2026: Faith, Music and Community

Situated in the High Crompton area of Shaw, looking out towards the Pennine hills, Crompton House has served the families of Oldham and Rochdale since 1926. Originally founded to provide higher education for the local community with a distinct Anglican ethos, it has grown into a large, oversubscribed academy with a reputation that extends far beyond its immediate catchment.

While academically solid, placing in the top 30% of schools in England for GCSEs, the school's identity is forged as much in the concert hall as the classroom. It is widely recognised as a centre of excellence for music, with brass bands and choirs that tour internationally. For families, the appeal lies in this combination: a school that takes academic progress seriously but frames it within a supportive, active Christian community where the arts flourish.

The site itself tells the story of the school's evolution. The original 1920s building, with its wood-panelled hall and sense of history, is now surrounded by modern additions, including a dedicated Sixth Form centre and extensive sports facilities. Despite the expansion to over 1,600 students, the atmosphere remains surprisingly intimate, a quality the school attributes to its strong house system and pervasive religious character.

Mrs Susanna Hegarty serves as Head of School, working alongside CEO Karl Newell to lead the trust. The leadership style is visible and grounded; staff speak of a supportive environment, and students describe a school where expectations are high but fair.

The school's Christian ethos is not an optional extra. It is the framework upon which daily life hangs. The motto, Sapere Aude (Dare to Know), sits alongside the mission statement: "Loving God, Caring for Each Other, Achieving Excellence". This plays out in a busy chaplaincy, regular communion services, and a "Thought for the Week" that involves the whole community. However, it is not an exclusionary atmosphere; the school welcomes those of other faiths or none, provided they respect the Anglican foundation.

Academic outcomes at Crompton House are consistently strong, reflecting a culture of diligent study rather than an exam-factory pressure cooker.

In 2024, the school's GCSE performance was solid. An Attainment 8 score of 48.6 placed it above the England average of 45.9, indicating that students typically achieve half a grade higher across eight subjects than the national norm. Ranked 1,235th in England and 4th in Oldham for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the "national typical" band, performing in line with the middle 35% of schools nationally, though at the upper end of this bracket.

The Progress 8 score of -0.02 suggests that students make average progress from their starting points at primary school. While this is mathematically "average", in the context of a non-selective state school, it represents steady, reliable education where students generally achieve what their potential predicts.

At Sixth Form, the picture is similar. The 2024 cohort achieved 44% A*-B grades, slightly below the England average of 47%. The school ranks 1,461st in England for A-level outcomes. However, the top end performs well, with over 17% of grades at A* or A. These results place Crompton House 4th in Oldham for A-level performance, maintaining its position as a leading local provider for post-16 education.

The curriculum is broad and traditional. At Key Stage 3, students cover the full National Curriculum with the addition of dedicated Drama and Religious Studies lessons. The school has resisted the trend to narrow the curriculum early; students maintain a wide diet of subjects through to Year 9.

Teaching is characterised by strong subject expertise and structured lessons. In core subjects like English and Mathematics, setting allows for targeted support and extension. The school's status as a Church of England Academy means Religious Studies is a core GCSE for all students, and outcomes in this department are historically very strong.

Music teaching deserves specific mention. As a curricular subject, it is taken seriously from Year 7, with high uptake at GCSE and A-level. The department is not just an extracurricular add-on but a central pillar of the school's academic life, resourced with specialist staff and practice rooms that rival independent schools.

The Sixth Form is the natural destination for the majority of Year 11 students, though entry requires meeting specific grade thresholds.

For the class of 2024, destinations were diverse. 62% of leavers progressed to university. While there were no successful Oxbridge offers from the five applicants in this cycle, the school has a track record of sending students to Russell Group universities, particularly in the North West and Yorkshire.

The school also supports vocational pathways effectively. 10% of leavers secured apprenticeships, reflecting the school's strong links with local industry and the growing prestige of degree-level apprenticeships. 16% moved directly into employment. The careers advice is robust, with a dedicated careers hub helping students navigate the choice between university, apprenticeships, and work.

Admission to Crompton House is competitive. As a successful academy with a religious character, it is consistently oversubscribed. In 2024, the school received 833 applications for just 300 Year 7 places; a ratio of nearly 3 applicants for every seat.

The admissions policy is a hybrid model designed to serve both the worshipping community and the local area. A significant proportion of places are allocated based on faithful attendance at Anglican churches (and other Christian denominations) within the Deanery of Oldham and surrounding areas. Families applying under these criteria must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) signed by their vicar or minister.

However, the school also offers "community places" based on distance, without a faith requirement. Because of the high demand, the catchment area for these open places can be very tight. Families living in Shaw and High Crompton have the best chance, but those further afield without a specific faith claim often find it difficult to secure a place.

Admissions for the Sixth Form are administered separately, with external applicants welcomed. The minimum requirement is typically five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, with Grade 6 required in the subjects chosen for A-level.

Pastoral care is organised through a vertical House system, which is one of the school's defining features. Upon joining, every student is allocated to one of the houses (such as Cocker, Crompton, or Ridley), where they remain for their entire school career. Form groups are mixed-age, meaning a Year 7 student will be in a form with students from Year 8 to Year 11.

This vertical tutoring model fosters a genuine sense of family. Older students act as mentors to the younger ones, breaking down the intimidating barriers often found in large secondary schools. The Heads of House are powerful figures in the students' lives, providing continuity of care from age 11 to 16.

The Chaplaincy team provides an additional layer of support. They are available for students of all faiths and none, offering a listening ear that is distinct from the academic or disciplinary structures of the school.

If there is one area where Crompton House truly punches above its weight, it is extracurricular provision, particularly in music.

Music

The school is regionally and nationally renowned for its music. The Senior Brass Band, Wind Band, and various choirs perform at a standard rarely seen in the state sector. The music department is a hive of activity from early morning until late afternoon. Regular tours, often to Europe, provide students with professional-level performance experiences. It is not uncommon for over 200 students to be involved in a single concert.

Sport

While music grabs the headlines, sport is also strong. The school fields competitive teams in football, rugby, netball, and hockey. The expansive playing fields and sports hall allow for a full fixture list against both state and independent schools across Greater Manchester.

Duke of Edinburgh

The DofE Award scheme is massive here. A large proportion of Year 10 students undertake Bronze, with many continuing to Silver and Gold in the Sixth Form. The nearby Pennines provide the perfect training ground for expeditions.

Clubs & Societies

Beyond the big pillars of music and sport, there is a healthy ecosystem of clubs ranging from Chess and Coding to the Debating Society. The House competition system ensures that even reluctant joiners get involved in inter-house drama, sport, and quizzes.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. Situated on Rochdale Road, the school is well-served by public transport. The dedicated school buses serve wide areas of Oldham, Rochdale, and Saddleworth, though parents should check specific routes as these can change. The Metrolink tram stop at Shaw and Crompton is a walkable distance, providing easy access for Sixth Formers traveling from further afield.

Faith commitment expected. While the school welcomes all, the Anglican ethos is central. Attendance at school communion services and engagement with religious education is expected of everyone. Families uncomfortable with explicit Christian worship may find the environment challenging.

Strict uniform policy. The school prides itself on high standards of appearance. The uniform code is strictly enforced, and parents are expected to support the school in this.

Admissions complexity. Securing a place can be complicated due to the mix of faith and community criteria. Families relying on the faith route need to ensure their church attendance is documented well in advance of the application deadline.

Site layout. The site is on a hill and spread across several buildings of varying ages. While accessible, it can be physically demanding to navigate quickly between lessons.

Crompton House offers a distinctive education that blends the warmth of a community school with the opportunities of a large academy. Its results are strong, but its heart lies in its music and its faith. Best suited to families who value a structured, traditional education within a supportive Christian framework, and particularly for any child with musical aptitude. The main challenge is securing a place in this heavily oversubscribed school.