Waterhead Academy is currently sponsored by Oldham FE College but, at the time of this inspection, consultations were underway for new sponsorship by September 2016. The school is larger than the average-sized secondary school. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above average. The proportion of pupils supported through the pupil premium is around twice the national average. The pupil premium is funding to help overcome disadvantage and is for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and children looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is approximately three times the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs or disabilities has previously been high but is now reducing. The school uses four local alternative providers for a very small number of pupils: The Work Experience Team, Kingsland Pupil Referral Unit, the Latics Zone and Raise the Youth. The school is compliant with government requirements concerning the content of the school’s website. The school did not meet the government’s current floor standards in the 2015 GCSE examinations. The floor standards set minimum expectations for pupils’ attainment and progress. The executive principal will become principal on 1 August 2016.