Lift Unity City
Middlesbrough, TS3 8RE · Middlesbrough · secondary school
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8th of 8 secondary schools in Middlesbrough 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 — 1.3/10 against 175 of them, against 0.5/10 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 | 21.6 · 5 | 30% | 0.14 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.87 · 4 | 25% | 0.11 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.9 · 9 | 10% | 0.09 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Lift Unity City overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 20.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 34.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.87 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,033 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 8 scores, which are currently below the national baseline? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8 towards the national median? How does the new Ofsted framework affect the current teaching and learning priorities in the classroom?
What Ofsted said about Lift Unity City
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have provided "clear leadership" following a period of instability, resulting in "important improvements in a short space of time." While attendance and behaviour are improving, the report notes that "pupils' achievement over time has not been good enough" and that curriculum improvements are not yet "embedded to consistent effect."
Strengths
- Leaders have created an "open culture" for safeguarding where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
- Attendance shows an "improving trend for 3 successive years" due to a "mixture of support and challenge."
- Staff work closely to support vulnerable pupils, including through a dedicated mental health service and inclusive ethos.
- The personal development programme is responsive, with the ‘adulting for beginners’ curriculum cited as a "particular strength."
- Leaders have built a "loyal and supportive staff team" who "care deeply for the community."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "intensify developments in curriculum and teaching" to address gaps in foundational knowledge, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
- Leaders should "improve the use of assessment to check learning" so teachers can better adapt teaching to deepen understanding.
- Leaders should "further embed strategies to improve pupils’ behaviour" and their perception of it, particularly at social times and transitions.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing 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 | 31.8 |
| 2024/25 | 34.2 |
| 2025/26 | 36.9 |
| 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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