Lancashire County Council’s best secondary schools 2026

Trying to find the right school for your child in Lancashire County Council? You’re in the right place.

With so many options, many parents find themselves drowning in league tables and Ofsted reports. That’s exactly why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert team has analysed the latest 2024/2025 Department for Education data to bring you a list of the top-performing state secondary schools in Lancashire County Council.

We show two ranking tables, one for Progress 8 and one for GCSE 9–7 results, and also provide a complete list of all secondary schools in Lancashire County Council. This full list includes Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 percentages, and Ofsted ratings where available. The schools in this table are ordered alphabetically rather than ranked, so you can easily see every school in one place, even if some data points are missing.

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Top secondary schools in Lancashire County Council by GCSE % 9–7

Lancaster Girls' Grammar School in Lancaster is currently ranked #1 in Lancashire County Council based on the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7. This measure highlights how many pupils achieve the very top exam results, giving a clear picture of each school’s academic excellence.

RankSchool nameTypeGenderProgress 8GCSE 9-7%Ofsted ᐧ Quality of educationOfsted ᐧ Behaviour & attitudesOfsted ᐧ Personal developmentOfsted ᐧ Leadership & management
1Lancaster Girls' Grammar SchoolAcademy converterGirls-67.7%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
2Clitheroe Royal Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-67.4%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
3Lancaster Royal Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-65%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
4Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-62.1%GoodInadequateInadequateInadequate
5AKS LythamOther independent schoolMixed-44.1%----
6Broughton High SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-41.1%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
7Oakhill SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-39.7%----
8Stonyhurst CollegeOther independent schoolMixed-39%----
9Bishop Rawstorne Church of England AcademyAcademy converterMixed-38%GoodOutstandingGoodGood
10Rossall SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-37.8%----
11Preston Muslim Girls High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-36.5%----
12St Michael's Church of England High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-34.2%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
13Holy Cross Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-33%----
14Rossendale SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-32.7%----
15Penwortham Girls' High SchoolCommunity schoolGirls-31.4%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
16All Hallows Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-31.2%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
17Jamea Al KautharOther independent schoolGirls-28.9%----
18St Bede's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-28.8%GoodGoodGoodGood
19Kirkham Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-28.5%----
20Archbishop Temple Church of England High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-28.3%GoodGoodGoodGood
21Abrar AcademyOther independent schoolBoys-27.9%----
22Maharishi Free SchoolFree schoolsMixed-27.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
23Edenfield Girls' High SchoolOther independent schoolGirls-27.1%----
24Scarisbrick Hall SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-26.4%----
25Accrington St Christopher's Church of England High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-25.3%----
26Corpus Christi Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-25.2%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
27Our Lady's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-23.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
28Balshaw's Church of England High SchoolVoluntary controlled schoolMixed-21.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
29Ripley St Thomas Church of England AcademyAcademy converterMixed-21.7%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
30Burscough Priory AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-21.3%GoodGoodGoodGood
31St Cecilia's RC High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-21.1%GoodGoodOutstandingGood
32Hodgson AcademyAcademy converterMixed-20.9%GoodGoodOutstandingGood
33St Bede's Catholic High School, LythamVoluntary aided schoolMixed-20.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
34Whitworth Community High SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-20.4%----
35Brownedge St Mary's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-20.2%----
36Lostock Hall AcademyAcademy converterMixed-20.1%----
37Eden Boys' School, PrestonFree schoolsBoys-19.5%----
38Baines SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-18.9%Requires improvementGoodRequires improvementRequires improvement
39Hutton Church of England Grammar SchoolVoluntary aided schoolBoys-18.8%----
40Saint Aidan's Church of England High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-18.5%----
41Olive HighOther independent schoolGirls-18.4%----
42Ormskirk SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-17.8%GoodGoodGoodGood
43Albany AcademyAcademy converterMixed-17.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
44St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School, a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed-17.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
45Ashton Community Science CollegeCommunity schoolMixed-17.4%----
46Millfield Science & Performing Arts CollegeCommunity schoolMixed-16.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
47Parklands High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-16.4%----
48Up Holland High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-16.4%----
49Bowland HighAcademy converterMixed-16.1%GoodGoodGoodGood
50Tarleton AcademyAcademy converterMixed-15.7%----
51St Mary's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-15.6%----
52Academy@WordenAcademy converterMixed-15.4%GoodGoodGoodGood
53Fulwood AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-14.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
54Southlands High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-14.5%Requires improvementGoodRequires improvementGood
55Haslingden High School and Sixth FormCommunity schoolMixed-14.4%----
56Penwortham Priory AcademyAcademy converterMixed-14%GoodGoodGoodGood
57Garstang Community AcademyAcademy converterMixed-13.8%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
58Carr Hill High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-13.6%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
59Unity CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-13.4%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
60Longridge High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-13.1%Requires improvementGoodGoodRequires improvement
61Moor Park High School and Sixth FormFoundation schoolMixed-12.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
62Accrington AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-12.1%Requires improvementGoodGoodRequires improvement
63The HollinsAcademy converterMixed-11.9%----
64Sir John Thursby Community CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-11.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
65Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Roman Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-11.6%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
66Shuttleworth CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-11.3%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
67Pendle Vale CollegeCommunity schoolMixed-11.2%----
68Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School, HyndburnVoluntary aided schoolMixed-11.1%GoodGoodGoodGood
69Ribblesdale SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-10.5%GoodGoodOutstandingGood
70Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Engineering CollegeVoluntary aided schoolMixed-10.4%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
71Our Lady's Catholic CollegeVoluntary aided schoolMixed-10.3%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
72St Anne's College Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-10.1%----
73Colne Primet AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-10%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
74Lathom High School : A Technology CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-9.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
75West Craven High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-9.7%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
76Bay Leadership AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-9.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
77Carnforth High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-9.6%----
78Cardinal Allen Catholic High School, FleetwoodVoluntary aided schoolMixed-9.3%----
79Marsden Heights Community CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed-7.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
80Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed-7.8%Requires improvementGoodGoodRequires improvement
81Burnley High SchoolFree schoolsMixed-7.7%----
82Wellfield AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-7.2%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
83Fleetwood High SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-6.8%GoodGoodGoodGood
84The Valley Leadership AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-6.7%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
85All Saints' Roman Catholic High School, a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed-6.6%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
86Alder Grange SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-6.4%----
87Colne Park High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-6.3%----
88Christ The King Catholic High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-6.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementInadequate
89RhyddingsAcademy converterMixed-6.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
90The Rose SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-6.2%GoodGoodGoodGood
91The Hyndburn AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-5.1%GoodGoodGoodGood
92Walton-Le-Dale High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-5.1%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
93Morecambe Bay AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-4.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
94Central Lancaster High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-3.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
95Belmont SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
96Bridgeway SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
97Brookfield SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%GoodOutstandingGoodGood
98Cumberland SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
99Hope High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%----
100Moorbrook SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%GoodGoodGoodGood
101Morecambe Road SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%----
102Pontville SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
103The Alternative SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-0%----
104Turning Point AcademyOther independent schoolMixed-0%----
105Waterloo LodgeOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----

Note: Rankings use 2024/2025 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.

Source

All secondary schools in Lancashire County Council

Below is the complete list of secondary schools in Lancashire County Council, including both state-funded and independent schools where data is available. This table provides an at-a-glance view of each school’s key performance metrics, including Progress 8 scores, the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7, and Ofsted ratings, where published.

School nameTypeGenderProgress 8GCSE 9-7%Ofsted ᐧ Quality of educationOfsted ᐧ Behaviour & attitudesOfsted ᐧ Personal developmentOfsted ᐧ Leadership & management
AKS LythamOther independent schoolMixed-44.1%----
Abrar AcademyOther independent schoolBoys-27.9%----
Academy@WordenAcademy converterMixed-15.4%GoodGoodGoodGood
Accrington AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-12.1%Requires improvementGoodGoodRequires improvement
Accrington St Christopher's Church of England High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-25.3%----
Albany AcademyAcademy converterMixed-17.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
Alder Grange SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-6.4%----
All Hallows Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-31.2%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
All Saints' Roman Catholic High School, a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed-6.6%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
Applebee Wood SchoolAcademy special sponsor ledMixed--InadequateGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Archbishop Temple Church of England High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-28.3%GoodGoodGoodGood
Ashton Community Science CollegeCommunity schoolMixed-17.4%----
Aurora Brooklands SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-62.1%GoodInadequateInadequateInadequate
Baines SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-18.9%Requires improvementGoodRequires improvementRequires improvement
Balshaw's Church of England High SchoolVoluntary controlled schoolMixed-21.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
Bay Leadership AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-9.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Belmont SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
Bishop Rawstorne Church of England AcademyAcademy converterMixed-38%GoodOutstandingGoodGood
Bleasdale SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed--OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed-7.8%Requires improvementGoodGoodRequires improvement
Bowland HighAcademy converterMixed-16.1%GoodGoodGoodGood
Bridgeway SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
Broadfield Specialist SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Brook View SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Brookfield SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%GoodOutstandingGoodGood
Broughton High SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-41.1%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Brownedge St Mary's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-20.2%----
Burnley High SchoolFree schoolsMixed-7.7%----
Burscough Priory AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-21.3%GoodGoodGoodGood
Cambian Red Rose SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Cardinal Allen Catholic High School, FleetwoodVoluntary aided schoolMixed-9.3%----
Carnforth High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-9.6%----
Carr Hill High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-13.6%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
Central Lancaster High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-3.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
Chorley Astley Park SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Christ The King Catholic High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-6.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementInadequate
Clitheroe Royal Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-67.4%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Colne Park High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-6.3%----
Colne Primet AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-10%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
Compass Community School LancashireOther independent special schoolMixed------
Corpus Christi Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-25.2%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Crookhey Hall SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Cumberland SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
Eden Boys' School, PrestonFree schoolsBoys-19.5%----
Edenfield Girls' High SchoolOther independent schoolGirls-27.1%----
Fleetwood High SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-6.8%GoodGoodGoodGood
Fulwood AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-14.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
Garstang Community AcademyAcademy converterMixed-13.8%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
Great Arley SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Grow Independent SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Haslingden High School and Sixth FormCommunity schoolMixed-14.4%----
Hillside Specialist School and CollegeCommunity special schoolMixed------
Hodgson AcademyAcademy converterMixed-20.9%GoodGoodOutstandingGood
Holy Cross Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-33%----
Hope High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%----
Hope SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
Hutton Church of England Grammar SchoolVoluntary aided schoolBoys-18.8%----
Jamea Al KautharOther independent schoolGirls-28.9%----
Kirkham Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-28.5%----
Kirkham Pear Tree SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Lancaster Girls' Grammar SchoolAcademy converterGirls-67.7%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
Lancaster Royal Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-65%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
Lathom High School : A Technology CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-9.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
Lincoln House SchoolOther independent schoolBoys------
Linton SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Longridge High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-13.1%Requires improvementGoodGoodRequires improvement
Lostock Hall AcademyAcademy converterMixed-20.1%----
Lytham St Annes High SchoolAcademy converterMixed------
Maharishi Free SchoolFree schoolsMixed-27.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Maple House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Marsden Heights Community CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed-7.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
Mayfield House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Mayfield SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Meadow View Learning CentreOther independent special schoolMixed------
Millfield Science & Performing Arts CollegeCommunity schoolMixed-16.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
Moor Park High School and Sixth FormFoundation schoolMixed-12.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Moorbrook SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%GoodGoodGoodGood
Moorlands View SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Morecambe Bay AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-4.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
Morecambe Road SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%----
Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School, HyndburnVoluntary aided schoolMixed-11.1%GoodGoodGoodGood
New Focus EducationOther independent special schoolMixed------
Oakhill SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-39.7%----
Olive HighOther independent schoolGirls-18.4%----
Olive High BoysOther independent schoolBoys------
Oliver House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Oneschool Global Uk Lancaster CampusOther independent schoolMixed------
Ormskirk SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-17.8%GoodGoodGoodGood
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Engineering CollegeVoluntary aided schoolMixed-10.4%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
Our Lady's Catholic CollegeVoluntary aided schoolMixed-10.3%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
Our Lady's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-23.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
Park ViewOther independent special schoolMixed------
Parklands High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-16.4%----
Pendle Community High School & CollegeCommunity special schoolMixed------
Pendle Vale CollegeCommunity schoolMixed-11.2%----
Penwortham Girls' High SchoolCommunity schoolGirls-31.4%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Penwortham Priory AcademyAcademy converterMixed-14%GoodGoodGoodGood
Pioneer TECOther independent special schoolMixed------
Pontville SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
Poplar House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Preston Muslim Girls High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-36.5%----
Progress SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Rainbow Hub SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Red Rose SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
RhyddingsAcademy converterMixed-6.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
Ribblesdale SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-10.5%GoodGoodOutstandingGood
Ridgewood Community High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Ripley St Thomas Church of England AcademyAcademy converterMixed-21.7%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Rosa House SchoolOther independent schoolGirls------
Roselyn House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Rossall SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-37.8%----
Rossendale SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-32.7%----
Saint Aidan's Church of England High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-18.5%----
Scarisbrick Hall SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-26.4%----
Shuttleworth CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-11.3%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
Silver Birch SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Sir John Thursby Community CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-11.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Sir Tom Finney Community High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Southlands High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-14.5%Requires improvementGoodRequires improvementGood
Springfield House SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Roman Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-11.6%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
St Anne's College Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-10.1%----
St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School, a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed-17.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
St Bede's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-28.8%GoodGoodGoodGood
St Bede's Catholic High School, LythamVoluntary aided schoolMixed-20.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
St Cecilia's RC High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-21.1%GoodGoodOutstandingGood
St Mary's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-15.6%----
St Michael's Church of England High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-34.2%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
Stonyhurst CollegeOther independent schoolMixed-39%----
Tarleton AcademyAcademy converterMixed-15.7%----
The Alternative SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-0%----
The Coppice SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
The HollinsAcademy converterMixed-11.9%----
The Hyndburn AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-5.1%GoodGoodGoodGood
The Loyne Specialist SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
The Nook SchoolOther independent special schoolGirls------
The Rose SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-6.2%GoodGoodGoodGood
The Valley Leadership AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-6.7%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
The WillowsOther independent special schoolMixed------
Thornton-Cleveleys Red Marsh SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Tor View SchoolAcademy special converterMixed------
Turning Point AcademyOther independent schoolMixed-0%----
Unity CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-13.4%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
Up Holland High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-16.4%----
Walton-Le-Dale High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-5.1%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
Waterloo LodgeOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
Wellfield AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-7.2%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
West Craven High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-9.7%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
West Lancashire Community High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Westmorland SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Whitworth Community High SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-20.4%----

Source

Disclaimer

All data on this page is sourced from the Department for Education’s 2024/2025 Compare School Performance dataset. It includes state-funded and, where available, independent secondary schools. Please note that Progress 8 scores were not published by the DfE for the 2024/25 academic year, as this cohort did not have Key Stage 2 prior attainment data due to pandemic-related assessment cancellations.

Some schools may also be missing data for GCSE 9–7 results or Ofsted ratings due to unpublished or unavailable figures. Rankings are based only on schools with published data and may not reflect recent changes. Please check school websites for the latest information.

How we ranked the best schools in Lancashire County Council?

Why trust our rankings? Our analysis is based on the latest 2024/2025 data from the Department for Education’s Compare School Performance (CSP) database, which publishes official performance data for all secondary schools in England, including both state-funded and independent schools where available.

We’ve created separate tables to highlight top performers in three key areas:

  • Progress 8 (pupil progress from KS2 to GCSE)
  • GCSE 9–7 grades (academic excellence)
  • Overall school listings, with available Ofsted ratings

Schools are primarily ranked by their Progress 8 score. This clever metric doesn’t just reward schools with high-attaining intakes – it highlights the ones that genuinely support student growth by measuring progress from the end of primary school to GCSEs. It adjusts for prior attainment, making it one of the fairest ways to compare schools.

Where available, we also show the percentage of GCSE grades at 9–7 to reflect high academic achievement, and Ofsted ratings for added context. All figures come directly from CSP’s official dataset.

Where Progress 8 data is not available for any schools in Lancashire County Council, the corresponding table will not be shown. This simply means that no schools in this area had published Progress 8 scores at the time of the latest dataset, it does not reflect on the quality of the schools themselves.

How to support your child at home

Helping your child succeed at school doesn’t just happen in the classroom, the right support at home can make a big difference. Encourage a regular study routine, provide a quiet space for learning, and take an interest in what they’re covering in lessons. Even small actions, like checking in on homework or discussing what they learned that day, can build motivation and accountability.

If you’re looking for extra structure, our GCSE Revision Resources are designed to make studying easier. With expert-written notes, topic-by-topic exam questions, and mark schemes, your child can practise exactly what they need to know, when they need to know it.

Boosting confidence before exams

Confidence can make a huge difference to exam performance. Start by helping your child identify their strengths and weaknesses, then focus revision time on areas that need improvement. Practising under timed conditions can reduce exam-day nerves, while celebrating small wins along the way builds self-belief.

Our GCSE Exam Practice pages include hundreds of past-paper style questions and worked solutions, so students can walk into their exams knowing exactly what to expect. By building familiarity with the question styles and formats, they’ll feel prepared and ready to perform at their best.

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FAQs - best secondary schools in Lancashire County Council

Based on the latest Department for Education CSP data, the highest-rated secondary school in Lancashire County Council is Lancaster Girls' Grammar School by GCSE 9–7 results. In the case of an exact tie across these measures, the first school in alphabetical order is shown here. For full details and to compare all schools, please refer to the performance tables above.
No. This guide covers state-funded secondary schools only, including grammar, comprehensive, academy, and free schools. Independent/private schools are not included in our rankings.
Applications are usually managed by Lancashire County Council local authority. You can find deadlines, admissions policies, and catchment area maps on the council’s official website.
Use Ofsted inspection reports, the Department for Education’s CSP performance tables, and our rankings to compare schools side by side. Visit schools during open days for first-hand impressions.
A Progress 8 score above 0 means students make better progress than the national average. Scores above +0.5 indicate well above average progress, while top-performing secondary schools typically achieve +0.7 or higher. The best schools in Lancashire County Council consistently score above +0.8.

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