Carnforth High School
Carnforth, LA5 9LS · Lancashire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
63rd 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 — 3.6/10 against 745 of them, against 3.0/10 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 | 11 | 35% | 0.39 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 36.6 · 29 | 30% | 0.86 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.29 · 28 | 25% | 0.70 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.5 · 36 | 10% | 0.36 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Carnforth High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.2% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.29 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 (2.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 657 pupils against a stated capacity of 754. 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
With Progress 8 below 0, how does the school support pupils to improve their progress from their starting point? Since the inspection was recent, what specific actions are being taken to raise Attainment 8 towards the national median?
What Ofsted said about Carnforth High School
Overview
The report describes Carnforth High School as an inclusive institution where leaders and staff have fostered a "calm, respectful culture" and a "welcoming and polite" environment. While safeguarding standards are met and personal development is well supported, the inspection identifies that teaching quality and pupil attainment require attention to ensure all students achieve their potential.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
- Leaders have created a "calm, respectful culture" where bullying is rare and pupils feel safe.
- The school is highly inclusive, providing effective support for pupils with special educational needs and those speaking English as an additional language.
- Personal development is "well planned," equipping pupils with knowledge about healthy relationships and fundamental British values.
- Staff workload is managed effectively, with leaders revising marking approaches to reduce pressure.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must consistently use assessment data to adapt teaching and close gaps in pupils' knowledge.
- Leaders should ensure teachers set "suitably ambitious tasks" so pupils develop deeper knowledge and achieve what they are capable of.
- Leaders must continue efforts to improve attendance, which remains below the national average.
Safeguarding
The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," noting that leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.2 |
| 2024/25 | 39.8 |
| 2025/26 | 43.5 |
| 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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