Unity College
Burnley, BB11 3DF · Lancashire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
71st of 82 secondary schools in Lancashire 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 — 2.6/10 against 666 of them, against 2.3/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 30.7 · 16 | 30% | 0.50 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.21 · 34 | 25% | 0.85 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.0 · 12 | 10% | 0.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Unity College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 34.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.21 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school "Requires improvement" in March 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and participate in dance.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,402 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. 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 actions are being taken to address the "Requires improvement" rating?
What Ofsted said about Unity College
Overview
Unity College is described as "warm and welcoming," with most pupils enjoying friendships and feeling supported by adults. However, the report states that the curriculum is "not designed well" in many subjects, and inconsistent behaviour management means some pupils do not enjoy school due to the "poor behaviour of their peers."
Strengths
- Pupils appreciate opportunities to expand experiences beyond the curriculum, including sporting activities and trips abroad.
- The needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "identified swiftly and accurately."
- Pupils benefit from a "comprehensive careers programme" that supports informed choices about future pathways.
- The governing body has developed a "greater understanding of their roles" and now challenges the school more effectively.
- Staff workload management has improved, helping most staff to "contribute positively to pupils’ learning."
Areas to improve
- The curriculum is "underdeveloped" in many subjects, lacking clarity on what content needs to be taught and when.
- Staff do not apply behaviour systems "consistently well," and actions to reduce high absence rates, particularly among disadvantaged pupils, are "not effective."
- The school’s strategy to promote reading is "underdeveloped," and staff do not use assessment strategies well enough to address knowledge gaps.
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 | 39.8 |
| 2024/25 | 40.3 |
| 2025/26 | 38.0 |
| 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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