Lancaster Academy

About Lancaster Academy

Lancaster Academy is a mixed secondary school in Leicester for pupils aged 11 to 16, currently educating 962 students against a stated capacity of just 106 — a figure that appears to be a data anomaly and should be treated with caution when assessing oversubscription. What is clear is that the school serves a community with significantly higher-than-average economic disadvantage: 42.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with the national secondary average of around 23%. This context matters when interpreting the school’s performance. The headteacher, Anna Fisher, leads a school that has seen a clear improvement trajectory: in its most recent graded inspection in 2013, Ofsted rated the school as Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. A subsequent ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed that the school remains Good. That marks a notable turnaround from its previous graded inspection in 2011, when the school was rated Requires Improvement across the board.

Academically, Lancaster Academy’s performance sits within a competitive local landscape. The school does not have a published Progress 8 score in the data provided, but the local authority average for Progress 8 across Leicester’s 25 state secondary schools is 0.12, which is slightly above the national average of zero. The top-performing peers in the area include Madani Girls' School (ranking score 1.14), Rushey Mead Academy (0.9), and Soar Valley College (0.74). Lancaster Academy does not appear among these top performers, but its Good Ofsted rating and the improvement from Requires Improvement suggest a school that has stabilised. The school does not offer a sixth form, despite the data listing an official sixth form — this may be an error, as the age range is given as 11-16. Parents should verify directly whether post-16 provision is available. The school’s facilities are extensive, including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, science labs, art studios, music rooms, and a gymnasium, which is unusual for a school of this size and intake profile.

For families considering Lancaster Academy, the practical picture is mixed. The school offers a wide range of clubs and sports, including martial arts, rowing, hockey, and netball, as well as enrichment activities like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, coding, and Young Enterprise. Its SEND provisions cover moderate, severe, and profound and multiple learning difficulties, indicating a commitment to inclusive education. However, the school is not oversubscribed in a way that suggests fierce competition — the nearest Outstanding-rated school, Sir Jonathan North Girls' College, is just 0.2 km away, which may draw some families. Leicester has only six Outstanding secondary schools out of 25, so Good is a solid rating in this context. This school will particularly suit families who value strong facilities and a broad extracurricular offer, and who are comfortable with a high-FSM intake that reflects the local community. It is not a selective or faith school, and its religious character is listed as 'Does not apply'.

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