Abbey Hey Primary Academy

What the data shows

Abbey Hey Primary Academy is a mixed primary for ages 3 to 11 in Gorton, Manchester, and part of the United Learning trust. It is large, with 675 pupils for 502 places. Its intake is disadvantaged and diverse: 59.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals and 51.6% speak English as an additional language. SEN support is 14.81% and 6.07% of pupils have an EHCP.

In 2024-25, 85% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 25 points above the England figure of 60%. The two previous years were 72% (2023-24) and 73% (2022-23), so results were already well above England before the latest rise. The share reaching the higher standard was 2%, against 8% in England. Absence figures are not published in the data we hold.

What Ofsted found

Ofsted carried out an ungraded (section 8) inspection on 5 and 6 November 2024, after the September 2024 reform. This type of inspection gives no overall grade. The school was last graded Good for overall effectiveness in October 2019.

The report, published in December 2024, is unusually positive. It says evidence suggests the school's work "may have improved significantly across all areas", and that its next inspection will be a graded one. Inspectors called Abbey Hey "an exceptional school" and described pupils' behaviour and attitudes as "exceptional". They highlighted early reading and phonics, the support for pupils with SEND and a strong personal development programme. The report also says the school takes highly effective action on attendance, which is improving. It does not set out any specific areas for improvement.

How it compares nearby

Nearby primaries vary widely. St James' CofE Primary School Gorton (0.3 mi) recorded 48% at the expected standard, Old Hall Drive Academy (0.5 mi, Ofsted Good) 67%, St Clement's CofE Primary School (0.5 mi, Ofsted Good) 58%, Sacred Heart RC Primary School (0.6 mi) 75% and Varna Community Primary School (0.7 mi) 39%. Oasis Academy Aspinal (0.7 mi, Ofsted Good) recorded 86%, similar to Abbey Hey's 85%.

Who it may suit

Abbey Hey may suit local families who want a high-attaining primary with a strong focus on behaviour, reading and inclusion. The school's website says it has a nursery, breakfast and after-school clubs, and an on-site food bank open to families.

Parents should note that the headline strength is at the expected standard; the higher-standard figure is low, so parents of pupils working well ahead of their age may want to ask how they are stretched. Places for Reception to Year 6 go through Manchester City Council, and the website says the nursery has its own waiting list.

May suit: Families in Gorton and the surrounding area looking for an inclusive, high-attaining primary with a nursery.

Drafted with the help of AI tools from our research notes and the sources above, then checked and edited by EduNavigate Research Team before publishing.