Spring Brook Academy

Spring Brook Academy has made significant strides since its previous inspection, moving from a grade of Requires Improvement to a Good status overall. The school fosters a supportive and safe environment where pupils feel valued and are eager to learn. Leaders have taken decisive actions to enhance the curriculum and meet the individual needs of pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Many pupils benefit from a well-structured curriculum and demonstrate good behavioural attitudes, which contribute to their overall achievement and personal development.

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy coming to school and feel safe in the nurturing environment.
• Leaders have high expectations for pupils' achievement and behaviour.
• The curriculum is ambitious and tailored to meet the social, emotional, and mental health needs of pupils.
• Strong support is provided for pupils with SEND, ensuring their achievement across subjects.
• Reading is a central focus, with effective phonics instruction in place.

Areas for Improvement

• In a few subjects, some teachers lack confidence in delivering the curriculum effectively.

In 2024–25 pupils at Spring Brook Academy attended 72.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 62.7% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 38.6% of pupils at Spring Brook Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Spring Brook Academy had 7.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 37.5% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Spring Brook Academy had 113 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Spring Brook Academy received £39,424 and spent £37,533 for each of its 114 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £202,000 (£1,772 per pupil).

Across all 7 schools of New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, income was £26,842 and spending £25,065 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Oldham · Oldham local authority: places and applications

Spring Brook Academy is part of New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, which runs 8 schools. The nearest others:

• Hollinwood Academy Oldham
• New Bridge School Oldham
• The Springboard Project Oldham
• Samuel Laycock School Ashton-Under-Lyne
• Thomas Ashton School Hyde
• Heywood Academy Rochdale
• Hawthorns School Hyde

What is Spring Brook Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Spring Brook Academy is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.

When was Spring Brook Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Spring Brook Academy was last inspected in September 2023.

How many pupils does Spring Brook Academy have?

Spring Brook Academy has 113 pupils on roll.

What age range does Spring Brook Academy cover?

Spring Brook Academy for pupils aged 4 to 16.

What are Spring Brook Academy's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Spring Brook Academy?

Spring Brook Academy is at Dean Street, Failsworth, Oldham, Lancashire, M35 0DQ.