Balshaw's Church of England High School
101%
Capacity
933
Pupils
3.4x
Demand
About Balshaw's Church of England High School
Balshaw's Church of England High School is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the South Ribble community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 933 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (101% of 925 places).
Ofsted has rated Balshaw's Church of England High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Steven Haycocks, it falls under Lancashire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.18 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 52.1. Additionally, ranked 1131st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 11 in South Ribble.
Balshaw's Church of England High School is a popular choice with families — it received 628 applications for 183 places, making it 3.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 215 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Balshaw's Church of England High School include Art Studios, Sports Hall, Swimming Pool, Dining Hall, Library, Science Labs, Tennis Courts, Gymnasium, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Dance, Rowing, Hockey, Netball and 5 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Art Club, Gardening, Choir and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 12.8%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in South Ribble, Balshaw's Church of England High School is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Church Road, Leyland, South Ribble, PR25 3AH |
| Headteacher | Steven Haycocks |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 933 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 12.8% |
| School Capacity | 933 / 925 (101% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Feb 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 20 Mar 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.18)
1131st of 3,141
Nationally
115th of 445
In North West
3rd of 11
In South Ribble
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed183
628
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
215 families put this school as their 1st choice (34% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Balshaw's Church of England High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Church Road, Leyland
South Ribble, PR25 3AH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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