Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy
104%
Capacity
963
Pupils
2.4x
Demand
About Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy
Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Chorley community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 963 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (104% of 930 places).
Ofsted has rated Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Paul Cowley, it falls under Lancashire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.53 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 58.2. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 473rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 2nd out of 6 in Chorley.
Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 436 applications for 182 places, making it 2.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 220 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy include Library, Science Labs, Astro Turf, Art Studios, Music Rooms, Sports Hall, Theatre, Swimming Pool, Sixth Form Centre, Tennis Courts, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Badminton, Hockey, Martial Arts, Football and 5 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Book Club, Orchestra, Film Club and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 8.4%, which is well below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Chorley, Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy 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 | Highfield Road, Leyland, Chorley, PR26 9HH |
| Headteacher | Paul Cowley |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 963 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 8.4% |
| School Capacity | 963 / 930 (104% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
16 Nov 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 16 Jan 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.53)
473rd of 3,141
Nationally
47th of 445
In North West
2nd of 6
In Chorley
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly 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
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed182
436
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
220 families put this school as their 1st choice (50% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy
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
Highfield Road, Leyland
Chorley, PR26 9HH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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