Oldham
SMS Changing Lives School
Exceptional results, but a place depends on the entrance test rather than where you live — worth a look only if you are planning to sit it.
What the data says
Published data, read plainly. It tells you what to check next; it does not guarantee a place or replace your local authority’s admissions guidance.
Academic signal is not available for this school phase in our current dataset.
No Progress 8 data is available for this school in the years we hold.
Admissions realism depends on your home postcode and the school's published allocation data. Enter your postcode on this page to get a more specific assessment, and always verify the latest policy on the school's official admissions page.
This is a selective school. Admission usually requires passing an entrance test. Check the school's admissions policy for test registration deadlines.
Watch-outs
- Selective admissions: an entrance test (usually the 11+ or equivalent) is required. Check registration and test dates well in advance.
- Small cohort (13 pupils in the latest results year). Figures may be less reliable and some data may be suppressed.
What to do next
- Verify the school's official admissions policy
- Check entrance test registration dates
- Book an open day or school visit
- Add this school to your shortlist and compare with backup options
Admissions and catchment
Independent schools run their own admissions outside the council process, so there is no catchment area or last offer distance to compare against. Registration and assessment dates are on the school’s website.
Performance over time
Attainment 8 over time
Historical results
| Year | Pupils | Att8 | P8 | 5+ E&M | EBacc % | EBacc APS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/2025 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023/2024 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022/2023 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021/2022 | 10 | 1.7 | — | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1 |
Nearby and similar schools
Other secondary schools in Oldham for local comparison.
School information
| URN | 146646 |
| Local authority | Oldham |
| Region | North West |
| Phase | Not applicable |
| Type | Other independent special school |
| Gender of entry | Mixed |
| Age range | 11-16 |
| Headteacher | Hecabe DuFraisse |
| Trust | — |
| Admissions | Selective |
| Religious character | — |
| Postcode | OL9 9XA |
| Latest pupils | 13 |
| FSM eligible | — |
Contact and identifiers
Unit 2, Aniseed Park, Oldham Broadway Business Park, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 9XA
www.smsschool.co.ukView local authority page1614801411| DfE number | 6004 |
| UKPRN | 10087038 |
| Opened | 9 Jul 2019 |
| GIAS updated | 3 Feb 2026 |
Data sources and freshness
| Official record updated | 3 Feb 2026 |
| Latest KS4 year | 2024/2025 |
| Latest KS2 year | — |
| Ofsted published | — |