Bowland High
Clitheroe, BB7 4QS · Lancashire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
20th 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 475 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.5/10 among them, against 6.1/10 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 | 43.6 · 46 | 30% | 1.39 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.38 · 78 | 25% | 1.95 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.4 · 62 | 10% | 0.62 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bowland High overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.38 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.3 out of 10 among them, against 6.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 644 pupils against a stated capacity of 575. 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
Since the inspection was in 2023, what specific improvements have been made to the curriculum since then? How does the school support pupils in the transition from Key Stage 3 to 4?
What Ofsted said about Bowland High
Overview
Pupils at Bowland High “enjoy coming to school” and are “motivated to achieve well” under leaders who maintain high expectations. The inspection found that the curriculum is “ambitious for all pupils,” including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and that staff foster positive relationships which make pupils feel “happy and safe.”
Strengths
- Leaders have designed an “ambitious” curriculum where teachers help pupils “know more and remember more” by building on prior knowledge.
- Staff are “well equipped to identify the needs of pupils with SEND,” ensuring they access the full curriculum and flourish.
- Leaders have “prioritised reading,” enabling pupils to become “confident and fluent readers” who develop a love of books.
- Pupils benefit from “high-quality careers provision” and are “extremely well informed about their next steps.”
- Pupils develop as “active citizens” through leadership roles and discussions on moral decisions and diversity.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, teachers do not use “suitable assessment strategies to identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge” or address misconceptions effectively.
- Leaders and staff do not have “consistently high expectations of pupils’ behaviour at social times,” meaning some pupils do not behave as well as they should.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with staff adequately trained to identify risks and working productively with external agencies.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 49.6 |
| 2024/25 | 47.8 |
| 2025/26 | 48.4 |
| 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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