Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 9 June 2026
Previous inspections
- 9 June 2026School inspectionReport cardReport
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 73.3 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 97% | 44% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 100% | 64% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 99% | 59% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 96% | 34% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 7.2 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 175 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. As a grammar school, it only offers places to children who reach the pass mark in its entrance test. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School is in Lancashire council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years. For a Year 7 place, apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6.
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,056
- Capacity
- 1,260
- Girls / boys
- 48% / 52%
- Free school meals
- 6%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61.1
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 3.6
- Leadership (FTE)
- 6
- Part-time teachers
- 15%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
88%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
82%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
367 responses up to 7 September 2026 · 34% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
88% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
93% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
89% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
71% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
66% agree
Questions about Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School
What is Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School on 9 June 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Exceptional for achievement, for curriculum and teaching, for inclusion, for leadership and governance, for personal development and wellbeing, for post-16 provision and for attendance and behaviour.
How do I apply for a place at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day. Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School is a grammar school, so your child must also sit its entrance test, usually in September of Year 6. You register for the test separately, normally in the summer term of Year 5.
What is the catchment area for Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School?
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. As a grammar school, it only offers places to children who reach the pass mark in its entrance test. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School?
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School had 1,056 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,260. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
Nearby secondary schools
The Valley Leadership Academy
Academy sponsor led
0.4 miles away
Alder Grange School
Community school
1.8 miles away
All Saints' Roman Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy
Academy converter
2.5 miles away
Haslingden High School and Sixth Form
Community school
3.0 miles away
Whitworth Community High School
Community school
3.6 miles away