Cockburn School
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.
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
15 Feb 2022Source: Ofsted, 28 Apr 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:25 – 15:00
Breakfast club
08:00-08:20
Source: cockburnschool.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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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