Park Lane Academy
Halifax, HX3 9LG · Calderdale · secondary school
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13th of 13 secondary schools in Calderdale we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.2/10 against 200 of them, against 0.2/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 18.2 · 3 | 46% | 0.12 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.1 · 2 | 38% | 0.07 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 32.3 · 2 | 15% | 0.04 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Park Lane Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 35.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -1.1, 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 (3.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the school parliament, school cabinet, and Sports Leaders. Arts and music provision includes a choir, brass group, and rock bands. Trips include performance trips to other schools, local concerts in Halifax, performing for residents in local care homes, and joint concerts at other secondary schools.
Getting in
The published school roll is 481 pupils against a stated capacity of 600. 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 the national median? What specific support is available for students who are below the expected progress score?
What Ofsted said about Park Lane Academy
Overview
The report states that the quality of education is inadequate, as "too few pupils... make expected rates of progress by the end of key stage 4." Conversely, behaviour and attitudes are rated good, with pupils described as "happy, polite and respectful" in "calm, settled classrooms." Leadership and management requires improvement, though inspectors note leaders have the "necessary capacity to further improve the school."
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from "positive relationships between pupils and staff" and feel safe, with bullying being rare.
- The school provides a "broad curriculum" and an "appropriate PSHE programme" that supports pupils’ wider development.
- Staff report that leaders are "mindful of their workload and well-being," and staff "enjoy working at the school."
- There is a "broad offer of extra-curricular opportunities," including popular trips and clubs, alongside appropriate careers guidance.
- Leaders have successfully improved day-to-day behaviour standards and attendance support.
Areas to improve
- The school must improve the quality of education to ensure pupils achieve better academic outcomes, as current GCSE results are significantly below national averages.
- Staff subject expertise needs further development to ensure subject curriculums are "delivered consistently well" across all subjects.
- Assessment practices must be linked to taught content to effectively "identify and close gaps in pupils’ learning."
- Staff must use precise information about pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to ensure these pupils can "access learning fully and thrive."
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 | 32.9 |
| 2024/25 | 40.9 |
| 2025/26 | 32.3 |
| 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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