Ribblesdale School
Clitheroe, BB7 1EJ · Lancashire · all-through school
Check the area around this school
47th 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 838 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.0/10 among them, against 3.3/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 39.7 · 36 | 46% | 1.68 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.25 · 31 | 38% | 1.19 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.9 · 28 | 15% | 0.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ribblesdale School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 38.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 for 2023/24 was -0.25, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.8 out of 10 among them, against 3.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Virtual Reality, E-sports, and Soul Jewellery clubs, or take part in go-karting and bowling.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,437 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,635. 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? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Ribblesdale School
Overview
Ribblesdale School is an all-through community school where pupils enjoy attending and benefit from high aspirations. The report highlights an "ambitious curriculum" and "effective" safeguarding, noting that staff foster positive relationships and pupils are respectful. While the quality of education and leadership are rated Good, personal development is rated Outstanding, reflecting the school’s success in promoting tolerance and well-being.
Strengths
- Pupils develop a "secure understanding and respect of other people’s beliefs and values," promoting tolerance through debates on moral and ethical issues.
- The curriculum is "well designed" with knowledge set out in a "logical order," helping pupils build understanding from the early years upwards.
- Reading is a "high priority," with children supported to develop language skills and weaker readers receiving appropriate help to "catch up."
- Pupils access a "rich set of experiences" including enrichment workshops, sports, and community leadership roles that promote confidence and well-being.
- Staff appreciate support for their "well-being and workload," and governors support the school effectively, particularly regarding the new primary phase.
Areas to improve
- Some staff design activities that do not help pupils learn subject content "sufficiently well," meaning some pupils, including those with SEND, do not achieve as well as they could.
- Checks on learning are not always effective, leading to gaps in knowledge not being addressed promptly; some pupils move on to new learning before they are ready.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.2 |
| 2024/25 | 43.5 |
| 2025/26 | 41.9 |
| 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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