SchoolScoresOur Lady's Catholic College
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Morecambe Road, Lancaster, LA1 2RX
0152466689 · 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 | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
234 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Lancashire comparisons use the 31 of its 83 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 52 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 | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 22nd highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 78% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 21st highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 36% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 83% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 18th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 74% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 115 parents whose child had been bullied 14th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 42% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 47% | 47% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 200 parents who had raised a concern Joint 16th highest of 29 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 39% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 66% | 65% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 17th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74%said yes | 74% | 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. Lancashire figures pool parents at the 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
155 pupils in this year group.
35% — 9 points below the Lancashire average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 35% | 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. | 41.3 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.3 | 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.
179 pupils in this year group.
90% — about the same as the Lancashire average, and 2 points below 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. | 90% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 32% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 48% | 48% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 90% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
53 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 8% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 35% | 56% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 27.3 | 36.5 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
11 subjects, 103 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 18 | 0% | 6% | 19% |
| Biology | 17 | 6% | 12% | 27% |
| Sociology | 16 | 6% | 13% | 20% |
| Chemistry | 11 | 0% | 18% | 30% |
| Religious Studies | 9 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Mathematics | 8 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
| Geography | 7 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
| History | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| English Language and Literature | 6 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Physics, Arabic.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
51 students in this year group.
76% — 4 points below the Lancashire average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 76% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 29% | 29% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 81% | 76% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
50 students in this year group.
50% — 7 points below the Lancashire average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 50% | 57% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 12% | 20% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 67% | 50% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 | 166 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 132 |
| Of those, offered a place | 131 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 459 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.8 · 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.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 40.6% | 26.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Higher than 61% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.4% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Higher than 93% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.4% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.0% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Lower than 9% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 34.9% | 22.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Lower than 15% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 40.1 | 21.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Lower than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.5% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded24 pupils | 2.40% | 0.53% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Higher than 7% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.0 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Higher than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.2 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Lancaster. Higher than 69% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0% | 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
- Lancaster Girls' Grammar School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 92% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lancaster Royal Grammar School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2021) · 99% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lancaster High School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ripley St Thomas CofE Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jamea Al Kauthar 1.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025) · 42% A*/A at A level
- Morecambe Bay Academy 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Our Lady's Catholic College's Ofsted rating?
Our Lady's Catholic College was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 March 2024.
How did Our Lady's Catholic College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 35% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Our Lady's Catholic College?
74% of the 234 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Our Lady's Catholic College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Our Lady's Catholic College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 132 families put Our Lady's Catholic College as their first choice for 166 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 119798.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.