Tarleton Academy
Preston, PR4 6AQ · Lancashire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
28th 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 890 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.9/10 among them, against 4.9/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 39.4 · 36 | 30% | 1.07 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.28 · 71 | 25% | 1.78 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.5 · 32 | 10% | 0.32 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Tarleton Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 47.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.28 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 674 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. 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 76 places currently available, how does the school manage class sizes for new intakes? Since the last inspection was in 2023, what specific improvements have been made to the curriculum since then? How does the school support pupils in reaching the national median for Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Tarleton Academy
Overview
Tarleton Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils are happy and proud of their new facilities. Leaders maintain high expectations for behaviour and provide a broad curriculum that prepares students well for their next steps in education or employment.
Strengths
- Pupils feel safe, with staff knowing them well and leaders dealing with bullying effectively.
- Most pupils achieve well, benefiting from a "broad and balanced curriculum" and a growing uptake of the English Baccalaureate.
- Teachers have "secure subject knowledge," explain concepts clearly, and quickly address misconceptions in "calm and purposeful" classrooms.
- Leaders have prioritised reading, providing effective support for those who need help to "catch up quickly with their peers."
- Rigorous systems identify the needs of pupils with SEND, with teachers skilfully adapting curriculum delivery to support them.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, leaders are still defining essential knowledge, which occasionally hampers teachers’ ability to build on pupils’ prior knowledge.
- Communication with parents is in development, meaning some parents, including those of pupils with SEND, do not feel sufficiently informed about their children’s progress.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with comprehensive systems in place to identify concerns and staff who are "vigilant in reporting" any worries about pupil welfare.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.4 |
| 2024/25 | 46.3 |
| 2025/26 | 42.5 |
| 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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