SchoolScoresWest Craven High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of PENDLE EDUCATION TRUST
Kelbrook Road, Barnoldswick, BB18 5TB
01282 812292 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 2 July 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
59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 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 24th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 19% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 78% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 24th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 28% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 78% | 83% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 27th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 10% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | 74% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 31 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 82% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 51 parents who had raised a concern 25th highest of 29 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 15% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51% | 65% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 26th highest of 31 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lancashire. Higher than 16% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58%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
140 pupils in this year group.
34% — 10 points below the Lancashire average, and 12 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. | 37.4 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.2 | 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.
127 pupils in this year group.
80% — 10 points below the Lancashire average, and 12 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. | 80% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 69% | 48% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 80% |
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 | 100 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 90 |
| Of those, offered a place | 90 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 159 |
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 39th highest of 83 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 28.6% | 26.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 31st highest of 83 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.5% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 14th highest of 83 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 35th highest of 83 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 78th lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Lower than 6% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 79th lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Lower than 4% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 39.5% | 22.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 66th lowest of 83 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Lower than 18% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 36.7 | 21.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 66th lowest of 83 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Lower than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded6 pupils | 1.02% | 0.53% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 47th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Higher than 41% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 53rd highest of 82 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Higher than 31% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 6th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Lancashire. Higher than 92% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 25.8% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is West Craven High School's Ofsted rating?
West Craven High School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 July 2024.
How did West Craven High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 34% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend West Craven High School?
58% of the 59 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend West Craven High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is West Craven High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 90 families put West Craven High School as their first choice for 100 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 90 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 142856.
- 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.