SchoolScoresSt Damian's RC Science College
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Lees Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8BH
0161 330 5974 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 15 November 2017.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 7 June 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
161 pupils in this year group.
61% — 20 points above the Tameside average, and 16 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Tameside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 61% | 41% | 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. | 55.1 | 43.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.1 | 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.
174 pupils in this year group.
95% — 6 points above the Tameside average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Tameside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 95% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 6% | 3% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 48% | 36% | 13% |
| Further education college | 35% | 43% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 95% |
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 Tameside. 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 about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 159 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 192 |
| Of those, offered a place | 147 (77%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 535 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.2
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 Roman Catholic 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 | Tameside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.0% | 38.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.9% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.9% | 13.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Lower than 93% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Lower than 93% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.9% | 24.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Lower than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7 | 46.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 13.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.36% | 0.43% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Higher than 63% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Higher than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Higher than 21% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8% | 12.9%* | 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
- Dixons Ashton Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ashton Sixth Form College 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
- West Hill School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 3 needs attention · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Hathershaw College 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 3 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oasis Academy Leesbrook 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- Safe Start School 1.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025)
- Sapience Girls Academy 2.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Trinity School 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Mossley Hollins High School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dixons Pennine Academy 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 13% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Damian's RC Science College's Ofsted rating?
St Damian's RC Science College was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 15 November 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 7 June 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
How did St Damian's RC Science College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 61% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 16 points above the England average of 45%.
Is St Damian's RC Science College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 192 families put St Damian's RC Science College as their first choice for 159 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 147 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 106270.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.