SchoolScoresPenwortham Girls' High School
Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Girls only
Cop Lane, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0SR
01772 743399 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 21 May 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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
165 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
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.
| Statement | This school | Preston (Lancashire) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 85% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 52% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 89% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 85% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 53 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 31% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 43% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 125 parents who had raised a concern 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 59% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 76% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 62% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84%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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
159 pupils in this year group.
55% — 11 points above the Lancashire average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 55% | 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. | 52.9 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.0 | 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.
154 pupils in this year group.
93% — 3 points above the Lancashire average, and about the same as 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. | 93% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 5% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 62% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 22% | 48% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 93% |
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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 161 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 159 |
| Of those, offered a place | 137 (86%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 480 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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 18th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 26.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 19th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.8% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 87% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 83% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8% | 22.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1 | 21.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 83% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.13% | 0.53% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 7th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 14th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 17th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 17% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 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
- Penwortham Priory Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- All Hallows Catholic High School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Christ The King Catholic High School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2022, before conversion) · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- Abrar Academy 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 17% A*/A at A level
- Ashton Community Science College 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hutton CofE Grammar School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lancaster University School of Mathematics 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B+ average A level grade
- Eden Boys' School, Preston 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- Preston Muslim Girls High School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2016), confirmed 2022 · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Moor Park High School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 3 expected, 3 needs attention · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Penwortham Girls' High School's Ofsted rating?
Penwortham Girls' High School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 May 2024.
How did Penwortham Girls' High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 55% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 9 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Penwortham Girls' High School?
84% of the 165 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Penwortham Girls' High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Penwortham Girls' High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 159 families put Penwortham Girls' High School as their first choice for 161 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 137 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 119765.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.