Blackpool Aspire Academy
Blackpool, FY3 7LS · Blackpool · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 8 secondary schools in Blackpool 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 — 3.0/10 against 183 of them, against 1.3/10 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 | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.2 · 25 | 30% | 0.74 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.31 · 1 | 25% | 0.02 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.7 · 11 | 10% | 0.11 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Blackpool Aspire Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 28.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.31 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Otaku Lounge, Dungeons & Dragons Club, Pzazz Performing Arts Company, Poet Laureate Club, Student Hive Drop-in, Airfix Club, Chess Club, and Chinese Club. Sports include Athletics, Basketball, Darts, Girls' Rounders, Striking and Fielding, and Table Tennis. Arts and music options cover Art Club, Drum lessons, Keyboard/Piano/Singing, Guitar, bass guitar, ukulele lessons, and Debate Club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 799 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 current attainment and
What Ofsted said about Blackpool Aspire Academy
Overview
The inspection found that while pupils develop "warm and caring relationships with staff" and behaviour is "calm and orderly," the school’s overall effectiveness requires improvement. This is primarily due to a previous curriculum that did not enable pupils to achieve well, resulting in attainment "significantly below the national average" and uneven progress across subjects. Although positive changes are underway, these have not yet had sufficient impact on current pupils.
Strengths
- Pupils feel happy in school, supported by "well-established routines" and opportunities to take on responsibilities such as being "well-being warriors".
- Behaviour has improved, with lessons typically proceeding "free from disruption" and a supportive 'hive' programme for those struggling to regulate conduct.
- Personal development is promoted very well, with learning about diversity "woven through all aspects of school life".
- The school provides effective careers education and guidance, helping pupils make "informed choices about their next steps".
- Staff successfully use information to ensure pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can access the curriculum.
Areas to improve
- Clarify the essential knowledge pupils must remember in all subjects to ensure learning builds securely on prior knowledge.
- Support teachers to use assessment strategies effectively to identify and remedy gaps in pupils’ learning swiftly.
- Take effective action to improve the attendance of disadvantaged pupils who currently miss out on essential learning.
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 | 32.1 |
| 2024/25 | 36.7 |
| 2025/26 | 37.7 |
| 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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