Cockburn School
115%
Capacity
1,277
Pupils
3.4x
Demand
About Cockburn School
Cockburn School sits within the Leeds local authority, a large and varied secondary landscape where it has carved out a strong reputation. Among 42 schools of its type in the area, it ranks 5th by Progress 8 score, placing it comfortably in the top tier. Its closest academic peers in the local authority are The Ruth Gorse Academy, Allerton High School, and Mount St Mary's Catholic High School, all of which also post well-above-average progress scores. The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 269 places in the 2025/26 intake, it received 918 applications, with 296 putting it as their first preference. That kind of demand speaks to its standing locally. It is a mixed, non-denominational secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with no sixth form. The headteacher is Robert Dixon, and the school operates from a site that includes a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, and dedicated art studios.
Academically, Cockburn School delivers results that are well above the national average. Its Progress 8 score of 0.72 is significantly higher than the Leeds local authority average of 0.07, and the Department for Education bands it as 'well above average'. Attainment 8 sits at 48.4, and 68.4% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2022, awarded it Outstanding across every category: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This marks an upgrade from its previous Good rating in 2014. The school also supports a broad curriculum, with 18% of pupils entered for the EBacc suite of subjects. Progress in open subjects is particularly strong at 1.05, while maths and English progress scores are 0.65 and 0.45 respectively.
The school is well equipped to support a wide range of pupils. Its SEND provisions cover ten categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. Facilities are generous for a state secondary: a swimming pool, theatre, library, ICT suite, gymnasium, and chapel are all on site. There is a strong extracurricular offer, with clubs ranging from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Model United Nations to coding, science club, and a school newspaper. Sports include swimming, rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, martial arts, and dance. With 38.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse intake and has clearly demonstrated that high academic outcomes are achievable across the board. For families in Leeds looking for a high-performing, inclusive secondary with strong facilities and a proven track record of progress, Cockburn School is a compelling option.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Parkside, Leeds, Leeds, LS11 5TT |
| Headteacher | Robert Dixon |
| Local Authority | Leeds |
| Number of Pupils | 1,277 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 38.4% |
| School Capacity | 1,277 / 1,111 (115% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Feb 2022Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Source: Ofsted, 28 Apr 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.72)
268th of 3,141
Nationally
11th of 306
In Yorkshire and the Humber
5th of 42
In Leeds
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
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed269
918
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
296 families put this school as their 1st choice (32% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British48.2%
- Asian22.0%
- White (other)7.0%
- Mixed6.7%
- Black0.9%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
9
Total schools
8
Oversubscribed
6
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cockburn 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
Parkside, Leeds
Leeds, LS11 5TT
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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