Alder Grange School
Rossendale, BB4 8HW · Lancashire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
69th 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 the 914 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.7/10 among them, against 1.9/10 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 | 13 | 35% | 0.47 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 29.4 · 15 | 30% | 0.44 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.32 · 26 | 25% | 0.64 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.1 · 16 | 10% | 0.16 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Alder Grange School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 25.4% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.32, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.4 out of 10 among them, against 1.6 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Band, Keyboard Group, Enterprise Group, Homework Club, LEGO, Hair & Beauty, Chess Club, and Craft Club. Sports include Creative Sports, Fitness, Badminton, Football, Netball, American Flag Football, Girls Football, and Basketball. Arts and music options feature Into The Woods, Dance Club, Guitar Group, and Ukulele Group. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 899 pupils against a stated capacity of 902. 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
What Ofsted said about Alder Grange School
Overview
The inspection found that Alder Grange School meets the expected standard across most areas, with safeguarding standards also met. Leaders are taking effective steps to improve attendance, behaviour, and the curriculum, creating a calm and respectful environment where pupils feel safe and engaged. However, inconsistencies in teaching quality and assessment mean that pupils do not consistently achieve as well as they could in national examinations.
Strengths
- Leaders have created a "generally calm, orderly and respectful environment" where bullying is not tolerated and concerns are resolved swiftly.
- Attendance is "in line with national figures" due to proactive monitoring and support for pupils with additional needs or disadvantages.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with teachers using sound subject knowledge to explain concepts clearly.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive "targeted support that is well tailored to their needs" and make sound progress.
- A comprehensive careers programme ensures pupils receive full guidance and explore a "broad range of careers."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teachers use assessment consistently to identify and close gaps in pupils’ knowledge, as inconsistency currently limits achievement in national examinations.
- Teachers need to adapt their teaching with greater precision to account for pupils’ individual starting points and needs.
- The personal, social and health education curriculum requires more depth and coherence, particularly regarding citizenship, finances, and the legal system.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed, ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.3 |
| 2024/25 | 37.0 |
| 2025/26 | 39.1 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of BB4 8HW, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT