SchoolScoresGarstang Community Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of FYLDE COAST ACADEMY TRUST
Bowgreave, Garstang, Preston, PR3 1YE
01995 603226 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 26 March 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
84 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Preston (Lancashire) comparisons use the 3 of its 23 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 20 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.
| Statement | This school | Preston (Lancashire) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 96% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 85% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 93% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 86% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 73% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 77% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 11 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 100% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | – | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 67 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 93% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 73% | 74% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 95% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100%said yes | 85% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 10%). 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
155 pupils in this year group.
45% — 2 points above the Lancashire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 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. | 44.8 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
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.
166 pupils in this year group.
95% — 5 points above the Lancashire average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 95% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 8% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 28% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 44% | 48% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 95% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 156 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 131 |
| Of those, offered a place | 131 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 356 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.8
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 14th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.2% | 26.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.3% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd 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 22nd highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.1% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 17th lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 41% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 15th lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 48% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.8% | 22.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 75% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.0 | 21.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.6% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.50% | 0.53% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 83% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 83% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.5 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 15th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 33% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is Garstang Community Academy's Ofsted rating?
Garstang Community Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 March 2024.
How did Garstang Community Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Garstang Community Academy?
100% of the 84 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Garstang Community Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Garstang Community Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 131 families put Garstang Community Academy as their first choice for 156 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 131 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137342.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.