SchoolScoresUnity College
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Townley Holmes, Burnley, BB11 3DF
01282 683010 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 20 February 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
144 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 30th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 7% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 78% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 30th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 9% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 83% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 28th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 9% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 47% | 74% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 71 parents whose child had been bullied 26th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 8% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 30% | 47% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 117 parents who had raised a concern 28th highest of 29 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 8% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 42% | 65% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 29th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 11% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51%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
276 pupils in this year group.
34% — 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 | 34% | 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. | 40.3 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 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.
228 pupils in this year group.
82% — 8 points below the Lancashire average, and 10 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. | 82% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 72% | 48% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 82% |
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 | 263 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 224 |
| Of those, offered a place | 224 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 648 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.7 · 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 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.8% | 26.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.4% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 85% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.4% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 38% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Lower than 5% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.0% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Lower than 7% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 35.8% | 22.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Lower than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 50.7 | 21.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Lower than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded18 pupils | 1.27% | 0.53% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 15% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Burnley. Higher than 44% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 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 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2025)
- Olive High Boys 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
- Lincoln House School 1.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Sir John Thursby Community College 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Unity College's Ofsted rating?
Unity College was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 20 February 2024.
How did Unity College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 34% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Unity College?
51% of the 144 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Unity College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Unity College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 224 families put Unity College as their first choice for 263 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 224 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 135003.
- 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.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.