SchoolScoresUnity Academy Blackpool
Academy · All-through, ages 2 to 16 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of FYLDE COAST ACADEMY TRUST
Warbreck Hill Road, Blackpool, FY2 0TS
01253 478129 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 10 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Special measures.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
36 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Higher than 10% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Higher than 12% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Higher than 16% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 14 parents whose child had been bullied Higher than 17% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 29% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 32 parents who had raised a concern Higher than 15% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 18 parents of children with SEND Higher than 35% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Higher than 12% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53%said yes | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 4%). 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. 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
56 pupils in this year group.
73% — 18 points above the Blackpool average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Blackpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 73% | 55% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 2% | 4% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 79% | 69% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 79% | 65% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 82% | 68% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 103 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
108 pupils in this year group.
18% — 13 points below the Blackpool average, and 28 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Blackpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 18% | 30% | 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. | 29.3 | 37 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.6 | 3.2 | 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.
114 pupils in this year group.
75% — 9 points below the Blackpool average, and 17 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Blackpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 75% | 84% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 6% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 22% | 24% | 13% |
| Further education college | 41% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 10% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 83% | 75% |
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 Blackpool. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 112 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 102 |
| Of those, offered a place | 101 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 183 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 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.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 33 |
| Of those, offered a place | 30 (91%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 43 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.1
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 | Blackpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 61.5% | 47.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Higher than 96% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.7% | 17.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.9% | 11.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Lower than 11% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5% | 9.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Lower than 7% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 36.0% | 29.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Lower than 20% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 33.9 | 33.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Lower than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2% | 9.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils | 0.85% | 1.02% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Higher than 35% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1 | 15.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Higher than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9 | 10.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Blackpool. Higher than 56% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.3% | 8.2%* | 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
- Lancashire Alternative Provision 0.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected
- The Blackpool Sixth Form College 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
- St Mary's Catholic Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- Blackpool Aspire Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tower Learning Centre Independent School 1.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Montgomery Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- Baines School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- BFC School 2.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Hodgson Academy 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Millfield School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Unity Academy Blackpool's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 10 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Unity Academy Blackpool do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 18% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 28 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Unity Academy Blackpool?
53% of the 36 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Unity Academy Blackpool to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Unity Academy Blackpool oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 102 families put Unity Academy Blackpool as their first choice for 112 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 101 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 139675.
- 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, Key stage 2 2024/25, 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.