SchoolScoresSir John Thursby Community College
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Eastern Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2AT
01282 682313 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 25 April 2023.
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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
217 pupils in this year group.
31% — 13 points below the Lancashire average, and 15 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 31% | 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 | 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.
224 pupils in this year group.
88% — 2 points below the Lancashire average, and 4 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. | 88% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 4% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 82% | 48% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 88% |
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 | 223 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 199 |
| Of those, offered a place | 197 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 413 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 76% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 39.6% | 26.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.3% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 15% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.7% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 73.3% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Lower than 49% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Lower than 36% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.3% | 22.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Lower than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 27.2 | 21.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Lower than 21% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.27% | 0.53% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 17% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.0 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 20% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 66% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.3% | 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
- Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 3 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Olive High Boys 1.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
- Olive High 1.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2025)
- Unity College 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lincoln House School 1.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Marsden Heights Community College 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Edenfield Girls' High School 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Rosa House School 2.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Pendle Vale College 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sir John Thursby Community College's Ofsted rating?
Sir John Thursby Community College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 25 April 2023.
How did Sir John Thursby Community College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 31% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 15 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Sir John Thursby Community College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 199 families put Sir John Thursby Community College as their first choice for 223 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 197 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 134996.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.