Waterhead Academy, based in Oldham, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy sponsor led and operates as a mixed school. It has a none religious character.
Waterhead Academy currently has around 947 pupils on roll, which is about 63% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 48.9% boys and 51.1% girls. Around 49.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 12.2%. Persistent absence is recorded at 37.5%.
The student population reflects a mixed community, with white british pupils forming the largest group at around 42.1%. pakistani pupils make up about 26.8%
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 91% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (86%) , including 1% who stay in school sixth forms and 84% progressing to further education , while 1% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Huddersfield Road, Oldham, OL4 3NY |
| Website: | www.waterheadacademy.co.uk |
| Telephone: | 01616205859 |
| School Type: | Academy sponsor led |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Oldham |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mrs Tracy Foy |
| Religious character: | None |
| Admissions policy: | |
| Unique reference: | 144508 |
Ofsted inspection date: 14/01/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1500 |
| Number of Pupils: | 947 |
| Number of Boys: | 463 |
| Number of Girls: | 484 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 12.2% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 37.5% | 8.2% |
| White British | 42.10% | 399 |
| Pakistani | 26.80% | 254 |
| African | 8.40% | 80 |
| Other White | 4.30% | 41 |
| Other Asian | 4.10% | 39 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 2.40% | 23 |
| Other Black | 1.70% | 16 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 1.60% | 15 |
| White and Asian | 1.60% | 15 |
| Other Mixed | 1.50% | 14 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 1.30% | 12 |
| Bangladeshi | 1.30% | 12 |
| White and Black African | 1.00% | 9 |
| Chinese | 1.00% | 9 |
| Indian | 0.60% | 6 |
| Caribbean | 0.20% | 2 |
| Unclassified | 0.10% | 1 |
| Irish | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hey-with-Zion Primary School Rowland Way , Lees OL4 3LQ | - not rated | 1,001 yd | Voluntary controlled school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Hey-with-Zion Primary School Rowland Way , Lees OL4 3LQ | 3out of 4 | 1,001 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Edward's RC School Rowland Way , Lees OL4 3LQ | - not rated | 1,053 yd | Voluntary aided school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Edwards Roman Catholic Primary, a Voluntary Academy Rowland Way , Lees OL4 3LQ | 3out of 4 | 1,053 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Littlemoor Primary School Littlemoor Lane , OL4 2RR | - not rated | 1,093 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterhead Academy Huddersfield Road , OL4 3NY | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Waterhead Academy Huddersfield Road , OL4 3NY | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Counthill School Counthill Road , Moorside OL4 2PY | - not rated | 909 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Oasis Academy Leesbrook Roxbury Avenue , OL4 5JE | 3out of 4 | 2,098 yd | Free schools | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Breeze Hill School Roxbury Avenue , Salem OL4 5JE | - not rated | 2,098 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsland School Whitecroft Street , Watersheddings OL1 4HX | 3out of 4 | 1,124 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Hill Top Community Special School Arncliffe Rise , Pennine Meadows OL4 2LZ | - not rated | 1,920 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| SEE (Oldham) Argent House, Shaw Road , OL1 4AW | - not rated | 2,410 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Grasscroft Independent School Stockport Road , Lydgate OL4 5RZ | - not rated | 2,580 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Iqra High School 319 Waterloo Street , OL4 1BJ | - not rated | 2,651 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.