Burnley College
About Burnley College
Burnley College is a state-funded secondary school for students aged 16 to 99, serving the Burnley area in Lancashire. With a school capacity of 600, it is currently oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, receiving 607 applications for 120 places — an oversubscription ratio of over five to one. Of those, 130 were first-preference applications, and 111 first-preference offers were made, indicating strong local demand. The school’s percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 39%, which is notably high compared with the national average for secondary schools, suggesting it serves a community with above-average levels of economic disadvantage. This intake profile is an important factor for parents to consider when evaluating the school’s outcomes, as it provides context for its academic performance and the challenges its students may face.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Jun 2022Latest monitoring visit (29 Jun 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 23 Jun 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Burnley College
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
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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