Wardle Academy
Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale, OL12 9RDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Wardle Academy is a secondary school in Rochdale for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 105 schools in Rochdale. It ranks 4th of 7 secondary schools in Rochdale. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in December 2017.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 12 December 2017, report published 17 January 2018
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 19 October 2022
Pupils at Wardle Academy feel safe and happy. They value the strong relationships that they have with staff. The 'Wardle Way' mission is lived out through all aspects of school life, supporting pupils both academically and pastorally. Leaders and trustees have high expectations for what all pupils can and should achieve. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from an ambitious and well-designed curriculum. Pupils learn well. Pupils celebrate differences between people. Staff teach pupils not to tolerate discrimination or bullying. Pupils are confident that leaders would act swiftly and effectively to address any incidents of bullying should these happen. Leaders expect pupils to behave well. Pupils' behaviour has improved. Their conduct increasingly reflects the high standards that leaders have. In lessons, most pupils are attentive and engaged with their learning. Pupils benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and activities. Leaders strive to capture the interests of every pupil, including those who are disadvantaged, with a variety of different opportunities. These include a virtual reality club and sports and music clubs. The school has a strong tradition in music. The school's brass bands are recognised nationally, and pupils were proud to report that they had been invited to play at the King's proclamation.
What the school should improve
- In a small number of subjects, some teachers do not use assessment strategies effectively to address gaps in pupils' learning. This means that some pupils have not secured the knowledge that they need to learn well. Leaders should ensure that staff are equipped to identify and address pupils' misconceptions before moving on to new learning.
- Leaders' new behaviour policy is starting to have an impact but is not fully embedded across all areas of the school. This means that there is some inconsistency in pupils' behaviour. Leaders should ensure that the policy is understood and implemented by all staff.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
233 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,366 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200
Schools near Wardle Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochdale Islamic Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Rochdale Islamic Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 48.3 |
| Darul Madinah Rochdale Ltd | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Falinge Park High School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Rochdale Sixth Form College | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- WATERGROVE TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr James Glennie
- Phone
- 01706373911
- Address
- Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale, OL12 9RD
- Local authority
- Rochdale
- URN
- 140055
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.