SchoolScoresSt John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ST TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
Stanycliffe Lane, Middleton, Manchester, M24 2PB
0161 643 3271 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 31 October 2018. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 7 February 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
13 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Manchester (Rochdale) comparisons use the 9 of its 15 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 6 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 | Manchester (Rochdale) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 89% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 90% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 82% | 84% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 77% | 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. Manchester (Rochdale) figures pool parents at the Manchester (Rochdale) 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
29 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 105849), before it changed to its current form.
59% — about the same as the Rochdale average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Rochdale | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 59% | 58% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 83% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 62% | 69% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 66% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 Rochdale. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 37 |
| Of those, offered a place | 29 (78%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 121 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 | Rochdale | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 59% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 25.7% | 32.6%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 46% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.9% | 3.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 43% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.3% | 14.6%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 60% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.8% | 27.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Lower than 25% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.0% | 5.4%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Lower than 23% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 17.1% | 14.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Lower than 62% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5 | 2.7 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Lower than 58% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 96% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 26.4 | 21.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 92% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 14.0 | 9.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 12th highest of 15 state primary schools in Manchester (Rochdale). Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 12.4%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- Boarshaw Community Primary School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2022 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hollin Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- Middleton Parish Church School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025, before conversion) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Elm Wood Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Gabriel's CofE Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mills Hill Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary School, Rochdale 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Parkfield Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Middleton 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Matthew's CofE Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
St John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 31 October 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 7 February 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 59% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 3 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy?
92% of the 13 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend St John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 37 families put St John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 30 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 29 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 151820.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.