Balshaw's Church of England High School
Leyland, PR25 3AH · Lancashire · secondary school
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17th 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 648 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.9/10 among them, against 6.7/10 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 | 51.4 · 66 | 30% | 1.97 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.18 · 63 | 25% | 1.58 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 53.0 · 80 | 10% | 0.80 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Balshaw's Church of England High School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted (inspected 2023-03). In 2024/25, 57.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.18 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same point. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.7 out of 10 among them, against 7.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Art, Darts, Debating, Drama, Young Writers, Faith, Film, and Knitting clubs. Sports include football and softball cricket. Trips range from Year 9 visits to Bowness and the Warhammer shop in Preston to Year 10 experiences at Manchester Metropolitan University and Runshaw College.
Getting in
The published school roll is 921 pupils against a stated capacity of 925. 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 improve their progress scores relative to similar-intake peers? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Balshaw's Church of England High School
Overview
Balshaw’s Church of England High School is described as a place where “pupils are happy” and feel “proud to attend.” The report highlights a “calm and respectful” atmosphere where students behave responsibly and achieve well, supported by leaders who maintain “high standards” for academic and personal development.
Strengths
- Pupils are “friendly, tolerant and polite,” with leaders dealing “effectively” with bullying to ensure students feel safe.
- The curriculum at key stage 3 is “broad and ambitious,” with teachers using “expert knowledge” to address misconceptions and fill learning gaps.
- Staff are “well trained” to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they access the same “ambitious curriculum” as their peers.
- Leaders “prioritise reading,” creating a vibrant library environment and providing targeted help for those with gaps in reading knowledge.
- A “high-quality programme” supports pupils’ wider development, including mental health, relationships, and careers guidance.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should fully implement plans to amend the key stage 4 curriculum so that all pupils can study subject combinations matching their “interests and aspirations.”
- Leaders and governors must identify barriers to parental engagement to work more effectively with parents, as a minority feel leaders do not communicate changes or address concerns well enough.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with staff confident in identifying risks and making timely referrals to external agencies.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.1 |
| 2024/25 | 52.3 |
| 2025/26 | 53.0 |
| 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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