Albany Academy
Chorley, PR7 3AY · Lancashire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
41st of 82 secondary schools in Lancashire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.1/10 against 766 of them, against 3.5/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.3 · 25 | 30% | 0.75 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.1 · 42 | 25% | 1.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.1 · 45 | 10% | 0.45 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Albany Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2024. In 2024/25, 33.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.1 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally starting from the same point. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Amazing Peer Mentors club, learn Bikeability and skiing, take private music lessons, and go on a ski trip or trips abroad.
Getting in
The published school roll is 725 pupils against a stated capacity of 756. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their Progress 8 score and the national benchmark? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8 above the national median?
What Ofsted said about Albany Academy
Overview
Albany Academy is described as a "friendly and welcoming school" where pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), feel "happy and safe." The report states that the school is "ambitious for all pupils’ achievement," with a curriculum that is "suitably ambitious" and helps pupils build knowledge cumulatively. Overall, the school is judged as "Good" across all inspection categories, reflecting high standards in behaviour, personal development, and leadership.
Strengths
- Pupils display "positive attitudes to their learning" in a "calm and orderly" environment where they are "polite and courteous."
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and explain new concepts clearly, while assessment strategies are effective in many subjects.
- The school identifies SEND needs quickly, providing "considered and appropriate support" via detailed pupil passports and a dedicated ‘Base’ room.
- A "coherent programme" supports reading fluency and comprehension, with a "welcoming and vibrant" library promoting reading for pleasure.
- Personal development is strong, with pupils engaging in leadership roles, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and comprehensive career guidance.
Areas to improve
- Assessment strategies are not used consistently well in some subjects, hindering teachers’ ability to identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge or address misconceptions.
- Rapid curriculum improvements have inadvertently increased staff workload, with some staff feeling insufficiently supported during these changes.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.5 |
| 2024/25 | 43.7 |
| 2025/26 | 45.1 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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