SchoolScoresBury CofE High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of THE BISHOP FRASER TRUST
Haslam Brow, Bury, BL9 0TS
0161 797 6236 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 6 May 2026 , published 23 June 2026.
In short: 1 strong, 5 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
120 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Bury comparisons use the 4 of its 7 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 3 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bury. Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 80% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bury. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bury. Higher than 51% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 43 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bury. Higher than 34% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 44% | 45% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 91 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bury. Higher than 40% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 64% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bury. Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76%said yes | 74% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Bury figures pool parents at the Bury schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
165 pupils in this year group.
52% — 13 points above the Bury average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 52% | 39% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 49.1 | 43.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.4 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
175 pupils in this year group.
97% — 4 points above the Bury average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 97% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 2% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 46% | 41% | 13% |
| Further education college | 47% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 98% | 97% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Bury. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 127 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 108 |
| Of those, offered a place | 107 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 444 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.0% | 29.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 4.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.1% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 15.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Lower than 49% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 8.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Lower than 63% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.8% | 24.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Lower than 31% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 23.9 | 32.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 9.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.24% | 0.36% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 92% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.7 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 83% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.5 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 98% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 34.2% | 16.6%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- St Gabriel's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Derby High School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bury Grammar Schools 0.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 41% A*/A at A level
- Hazel Wood High School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Elton High School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Star Radcliffe Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- Unsworth Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tottington High School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
- Philips High School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2022, before conversion) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bury CofE High School's Ofsted rating?
Bury CofE High School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 6 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 1 strong, 5 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Bury CofE High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 52% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Bury CofE High School?
76% of the 120 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Bury CofE High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bury CofE High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 108 families put Bury CofE High School as their first choice for 127 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 107 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 148866.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.