Armfield Academy
Blackpool, FY4 1TL · Blackpool · all-through school
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4th of 8 secondary schools in Blackpool we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.1/10 against 524 of them, against 0.2/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 17.0 · 2 | 30% | 0.06 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.11 · 2 | 25% | 0.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 34.2 · 4 | 10% | 0.04 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Armfield Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 19.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 35.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.11 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.3 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join debating, chess, languages, student councils, and ambassador roles, alongside football and athletics. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,221 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,220. 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 attainment gap with national medians? What specific strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores? How does the school manage class sizes when operating at full capacity?
What Ofsted said about Armfield Academy
Overview
Pupils are described as happy and safe, valuing the strong relationships with adults and the clear expectations set by the ‘Armfield Way’. Leaders have established a clear, ambitious vision for the school, supported by a well-designed curriculum that builds from Reception through to Year 11. The report highlights effective support for early reading and special educational needs, alongside a positive culture where pupils engage in community activities and leadership roles.
Strengths
- Pupils feel safe, know who to talk to for help, and value the strong relationships between adults and pupils.
- Leaders have created a clearly designed curriculum with high aspirations, ensuring pupils have strong foundations in learning, particularly in the primary phase.
- Staff are fully trained in systematic synthetic phonics, delivering a consistent approach to early reading with effective interventions to prevent pupils from falling behind.
- There is a clear system to identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they access the same ambitious content as their peers.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff well trained to notice concerns, report them promptly, and work with agencies to secure help.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure that pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, attend school regularly so they can access the ambitious curriculum.
- Leaders should ensure teachers have sufficient knowledge and training on how to use assessment information to inform pedagogical choices and curriculum delivery, addressing current variability.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders and staff knowing pupils well, reporting concerns promptly, and ensuring pupils are aware of local risks.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.2 |
| 2024/25 | 35.6 |
| 2025/26 | 34.2 |
| 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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