Oldham's most oversubscribed primary schools revealed

The Department of Education has released the latest data on admissions for the next academic year following the nation school offer day in April.

Data includes figures for the total number of places offered, as well as the number of times the school was selected as first preferences.

The Oldham Times has used these figures to calculate the difference between the number of places offered and the top choice applications.

Of the 84 primary schools in Oldham, 24 were oversubscribed, which is roughly 29 per cent.

This figure does not appear to have changed since last year’s data was released.

The most oversubscribed primary school in the borough, according to calculations, was Corpus Christi RC Primary School.

Corpus Christi RC School is among the most oversubscribed primary schools in Oldham (Image: Google Maps)

For the 2026/7 year, the school received 63 first choice applications and a total of 40 places were offered. This means that 63.5 per cent of the first choice applications were successful.

The Oldham Times has contacted Corpus Christi RC for comment.

Fir Bank Primary School received 48 first choice applications and offered 29 places, which means that just over 60 per cent of those applications were successful.

Broadfield Primary School received 58 first choice applications and offered 42 places, which means that 72 per cent of those applications were successful.

At the other end of the spectrum, Werneth Primary School received 33 first choice applications, and offered a total of 48 places, according to the government data.

However, Werneth Primary School has told The Oldham Times that the school’s published admission number (PAN) is 60 and that the school is expecting 55 new pupils in September.

The Department of Education has reported that the first choice preference rate nationally was 92.4 percent, down slightly from 2025 when this figure was 92.6 per cent.