Ashton Community Science College
Preston, PR2 1SL · Lancashire · secondary school
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22nd 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 — 7.2/10 against 583 of them, against 5.3/10 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 | 48.0 · 58 | 30% | 1.74 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.07 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.6 · 58 | 10% | 0.58 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ashton Community Science College overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. In 2024/25, 38.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.6, matching the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.07 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than peers nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Crafts, Origami, Art, Hamma Beads, GCSE Art, Drama, Guitar, and Keyboard clubs. Sports options include Basketball, Football, Boxing, Netball, Badminton, Fitness and Wellbeing, Rugby, and Golf. Arts and music groups feature the School Performance Show Team, Photography, Crochet and Knitting, and BSL: Sign Language. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 837 pupils against a stated capacity of 800. 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
What specific support is provided for pupils whose Progress 8 scores
What Ofsted said about Ashton Community Science College
Overview
Ashton Community Science College continues to be a good school, where pupils are described as "calm and polite" and "happy at school." Leaders maintain a "clear and ambitious vision for the curriculum," ensuring an inclusive culture where all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, have equal access to a broad range of subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils value "positive relationships" with staff and feel safe, with leaders dealing "effectively" with rare incidents of bullying.
- Teachers use "strong subject knowledge" to make regular checks on pupil retention, helping most pupils talk "confidently and with accuracy" about their learning.
- Leaders have "prioritised reading," accurately identifying the needs of less-confident readers and providing targeted support, including phonics.
- The school offers a "wide range of activities," such as sports clubs and educational trips, which enrich pupils’ understanding of the curriculum.
- Governors hold leaders to account "effectively," and staff "value the support" provided for their well-being.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, teacher-designed activities do not help some pupils develop the "depth of knowledge" they should; leaders must ensure teachers receive support to design activities that foster a "deeper understanding of key concepts."
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders prioritising pupil safety, ensuring staff receive necessary training, and responding promptly to concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.3 |
| 2024/25 | 44.6 |
| 2025/26 | 47.6 |
| 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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