Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy
Lancaster, LA1 4RS · Lancashire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
9th 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 508 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.4/10 among them, against 7.8/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 55.1 · 74 | 30% | 2.20 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.6 · 88 | 25% | 2.20 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.1 · 66 | 10% | 0.66 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 58.0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.6 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.1 out of 10 among them, against 8.2 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,755 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,754. 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
How does the school support pupils to maintain progress given the recent inspection date? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their attainment scores? How does the school manage class sizes with the current roll exceeding capacity?
What Ofsted said about Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy
Overview
Leaders and staff have created an "inspirational environment" where pupils and sixth-form students "flourish academically, personally and spiritually." The school delivers an "extremely high-quality education" with an "aspirational curriculum" that prepares learners to be "responsible and active citizens." Pupils are described as "highly articulate, self-motivated and determined to succeed," leaving the school "confident and exceptionally well prepared" for modern society.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and "motivates and enthuses pupils," offering a broad range of academic and vocational subjects, including agriculture and horticulture for all key stage 3 pupils.
- Teachers possess "excellent knowledge" of their subjects and deliver content with "precision," ensuring clear links between current and previous learning to foster "resilient and reflective learners."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "excel" and study the same ambitious curriculum as their peers, supported by staff who undergo "regular and bespoke training."
- Behaviour is "exemplary," with pupils showing "great deal of maturity and responsibility" and willingly helping younger students in an atmosphere of care.
- Staff well-being is prioritised through initiatives such as "ballroom dancing workshops, running club and Pilates," and leaders actively listen to staff suggestions.
Areas to improve
The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective," with leaders providing "regular and up-to-date safeguarding training" so staff can diligently identify vulnerabilities and report concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.9 |
| 2024/25 | 50.7 |
| 2025/26 | 49.1 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of LA1 4RS, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT