Classpot

Lightcliffe Academy

Calderdale, HX3 8TLSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
4 Good
Sep 2024
Progress 8
-0.37
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.6×
Not oversubscribed
87 1st-choice / 159 places
Ranking
#2,396
of 3,141 nationally

About Lightcliffe Academy

Lightcliffe Academy’s headline Progress 8 score of -0.37 places it well below the Calderdale local authority average of 0.06, and the school ranks 12th out of 15 secondary schools in the borough. That puts it in the bottom 50% nationally, at the 76th percentile. The Attainment 8 score of 38.7 is also modest, and only 29.6% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The school’s EBacc entry rate is very low at 4.9%, and the EBacc average point score sits at 3.09. These figures suggest that, compared with other Calderdale secondaries, Lightcliffe Academy is currently struggling to match the LA’s typical academic outcomes. However, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2024 judged it Good across all four graded areas — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management — a clear improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in March 2022.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressStoney Lane, Halifax, Calderdale, HX3 8TL
HeadteacherJoanne Hackett
Local AuthorityCalderdale
Number of Pupils820
Free School Meals (FSM)31.7%
School Capacity820 / 1,350 (61% full)

The full report on this school

What 79 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

24 Sept 2024
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 4 Dec 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
Art StudiosMusic RoomsICT SuiteTennis CourtsTheatreAstro TurfDining Hall

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

12

Sports

AthleticsSwimmingMartial ArtsCross CountryBasketballBadminton

Clubs & Activities

ChessNewspaperEco ClubDebateScience ClubCoding

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lightcliffe Academy

Lightcliffe Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.