Carr Hill High School

About Carr Hill High School

Just over half of parents who responded to the most recent Parent View survey would recommend Carr Hill High School to others, a figure that sits below the national average for secondary schools. The school is oversubscribed, with more applications than places available in Year 7, which suggests it holds a solid reputation locally despite some mixed feedback. Carr Hill is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary in Fylde, Lancashire, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. It has 841 students on roll and is led by headteacher Ben Layzell. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection rated it as Requires Improvement, a step down from its previous Good rating. The report noted that while leaders have a clear vision and staff are committed, inconsistencies in teaching quality and behaviour management need addressing. The school offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, and art studios, plus clubs like debate, choir, and Model UN, which help build a sense of community.

Academically, Carr Hill’s results are below the local average. Its Progress 8 score of -0.35 means pupils achieve around a third of a grade less per subject than similar students nationally, and this is well below the Lancashire local authority average of -0.11. The school ranks 57th out of 90 state secondaries in the county, placing it in the bottom half locally. Attainment 8 sits at 42.6, and just 38.4% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths, compared with 57.6% at grade 4 or above. The EBacc entry rate is 26.3%, with only 9.6% achieving the full EBacc at grade 5 or higher. Progress is weakest in maths and English, both scoring around -0.4, while open subjects fare slightly better at -0.26. The school’s Progress 8 banding is officially classed as ‘Below average’.

For families considering Carr Hill, the practical picture is mixed. The school is oversubscribed, so applying early is essential. Its facilities are notably strong for a state school, with a swimming pool, theatre, and dedicated art studios, plus a chapel on site. Sports provision includes rugby, rowing, and martial arts, and there is a good range of extracurricular clubs. The school does not have a sixth form, so pupils must plan for post-16 options elsewhere. SEND support is available, though specific provision details are not published in the data. Carr Hill may suit families who value a wide activity offer and are comfortable with a school that is actively working through an improvement plan, but those prioritising strong academic outcomes or a Good or Outstanding Ofsted rating may want to look at higher-performing alternatives in the area, such as Holy Cross Catholic High School or Eden Boys’ School, Preston.

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