Hodgson Academy

About Hodgson Academy

Hodgson Academy, a mixed state secondary in Wyre, Lancashire, was rated Good overall in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, a step down from the Outstanding it held in its previous inspection back in 2008. The most telling academic metric is its Progress 8 score of -0.45, which the Department for Education bands as 'Below average'. This means that, on average, pupils at Hodgson leave Year 11 with nearly half a grade less per subject than pupils with similar starting points nationally. The school's Attainment 8 score sits at 47.2, and just under half of its pupils (47.1%) achieved a Grade 5 or above in both English and maths. While the school is oversubscribed — receiving 695 applications for 218 places in 2025/26 — the data suggests that for families prioritising strong academic progress, it may not be the strongest local option.

To put that Progress 8 figure in context, the average for all secondary schools in Lancashire is -0.11, meaning Hodgson's score of -0.45 places it significantly below the local authority norm. Within Wyre specifically, the school ranks 5th out of 7 schools on this measure, and across the North West it sits in the bottom third. The Ofsted breakdown offers a slightly more nuanced picture: inspectors rated Personal Development as Outstanding, while Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, and Leadership and Management were all judged Good. The school's EBacc entry rate is high at 73.3%, though only 24% of pupils achieved the full EBacc at Grade 5 or above. The EBacc average point score is 4.45, which is around the national average for a standard pass.

Hodgson Academy is a large school, with 1,120 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,125, and it serves a community where 17.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. The school does not have a sixth form, so pupils will need to move on after Year 11. Facilities are generous for a state school, including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, and a dedicated Sixth Form Centre (though it is not used for post-16 study). The SEND provision is broad, covering nine categories from dyslexia to autistic spectrum disorder and physical disability. For families who value strong pastoral care and a wide range of extracurricular activities — including rowing, Model UN, and coding — over top-tier academic outcomes, Hodgson could be a solid fit. However, parents focused on academic progress should compare it carefully with other Lancashire secondaries.

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