Best Secondary Schools in Lancashire 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 80 schools across Lancashire. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Lancashire has 80 secondary schools, of which 8 (10%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 51 rated Good — 74% of secondary schools in Lancashire are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Clitheroe Royal Grammar School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Lancashire follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

80
Total schools
8
Outstanding
10%
Outstanding rate
61%
Avg KS2 SATs
37.4
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
🥈 Lancaster Girls' Grammar School
Secondary
 Good 90 View school
🥉 Lancaster Royal Grammar School
Secondary
 Good 90 View school
4. Broughton High School
Secondary
 Outstanding 84 View school
5. Lytham St Annes High School
Secondary
 Good 80 View school
6. Preston Muslim Girls High School
Secondary
 Outstanding 80 View school
7. All Hallows Catholic High School
Secondary
 Outstanding 80 View school
8. Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy
Secondary
 Good 77 View school
9. St Michael's Church of England High School
Secondary
 Good 76 View school
10. Penwortham Girls' High School
Secondary
 Outstanding 76 View school
11. Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 73 View school
12. Eden Boys' School, Preston
Secondary
 Outstanding 72 View school
13. Holy Cross Catholic High School
Secondary
 Good 71 View school
14. Balshaw's Church of England High School
Secondary
 Good 68 View school
15. Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School
Secondary
 Inadequate 68 View school
16. Accrington St Christopher's Church of England High School
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
17. Whitworth Community High School
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
18. Hutton Church of England Grammar School
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
19. Our Lady's Catholic High School
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
20. Hodgson Academy
Secondary
 Good 64 View school

Related lists for Lancashire

All schools in LancashirePrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in LancashireReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Lancashire8 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Lancashire

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Lancashire?
There are 80 secondary schools in Lancashire, of which 8 (10%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Lancashire?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Lancashire is Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Lancashire?
Primary and secondary school applications in Lancashire are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Lancashire council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Lancashire?
10% of secondary schools in Lancashire are rated Outstanding and 64% are rated Good. 85.3% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.