Carr Hill High School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed

Part of EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP TRUST

Royal Avenue, Kirkham, Preston, PR4 2ST

01772 682008 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedRequires improvementInspected 12 March 2024, before conversion
Grade 5 or above in English and maths40%England 45% · 2024/25
16th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 41% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils790Room for 899 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,042 in 2019, 966 in 2021, 903 in 2022, 899 in 2023, 888 in 2024, 841 in 2025, 790 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.9144 for 155 places, September 2026
15th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 44% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 12 March 2024. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationRequires improvement
Behaviour and attitudesRequires improvement
Personal developmentRequires improvement
Leadership and managementRequires improvement
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

115 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.

Preston (Lancashire) comparisons use the 7 of its 23 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 16 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolPreston (Lancashire)England
My child is happy at this school
7th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
74% 85% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
7th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 30% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
79% 89% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
7th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 36% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
72% 85% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 49 parents whose child had been bullied
6th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 37% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
45% 56% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 92 parents who had raised a concern
7th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 35% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
64% 76% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
7th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
67%said yes 84% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Preston (Lancashire) figures pool parents at the Preston (Lancashire) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

157 pupils in this year group.

40% — 3 points below the Lancashire average, and 5 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolLancashireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 40% 44% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 43.5 45.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.7 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 37%This school 2024/25: 40% This school England 45% 2022/23 37% 2023/24 – 2024/25 40%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

182 pupils in this year group.

These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 119744), before it changed to its current form.

91% — about the same as the Lancashire average, and 2 points below the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 36%38%
England 36%13%35%
MeasureThis schoolLancashireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 91% 92% 93%
School sixth form 2% 12% 36%
Sixth form college 36% 20% 13%
Further education college 38% 49% 35%
Apprenticeship 9% 6% 3%
Work 6% 5% 4%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2023/24 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Lancashire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered155
Families who put it first144
Of those, offered a place144 (100%)
Families who listed it at all286

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

Admissions dates and schools in Lancashire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolLancashireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
9th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
26.8% 26.4%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.3% 2.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
2nd highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
16.6% 13.2%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
17th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
5.5% 12.2%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
19th lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Lower than 34% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.3% 8.3%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
18th lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Lower than 37% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
26.0% 22.8%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
16th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Lower than 43% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
17.6 21.6 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
13th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Lower than 55% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
6.2% 8.1% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded10 pupils 1.19% 0.53% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 9th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 52% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.9 16.7 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
11th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.2 11.6 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
3rd highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire).
Higher than 76% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
18.8% 12.5%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Carr Hill High School's Ofsted rating?

Carr Hill High School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 March 2024.

How did Carr Hill High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Carr Hill High School?

67% of the 115 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Carr Hill High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Carr Hill High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 144 families put Carr Hill High School as their first choice for 155 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 144 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.