St Michael's Church of England High School
N/A
Capacity
1,133
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About St Michael's Church of England High School
St Michael's Church of England High School sits within Lancashire's secondary school landscape, one of 90 state secondary schools in the local authority. Among its peers, it ranks behind Preston Muslim Girls High School, Eden Boys' School in Preston, and Holy Cross Catholic High School, which occupy the top three spots in the area. The school is a mixed, Church of England secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with no sixth form provision. Headteacher Rachel Rongong leads a community of 1,133 pupils in Chorley. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated it Good overall, a change from its previous Outstanding rating in 2009. However, inspectors awarded Outstanding grades for personal development and for behaviour and attitudes, suggesting the school continues to excel in shaping pupils' character and conduct, even if the overall effectiveness grade has shifted.
Academically, the school's most recent Ofsted report noted that the quality of education is Good, with leadership and management also rated Good. The school does not have published Progress 8 or Attainment 8 scores in the available data, so direct comparison with the Lancashire average Progress 8 score of -0.11 is not possible. However, the Ofsted breakdown shows strong marks in behaviour and personal development, both rated Outstanding, which often correlate with a positive learning environment. The school's previous Outstanding rating in 2009 indicates a history of high standards, though the 2022 inspection suggests some areas of education quality have slipped from that peak. Without exam results or KS2 SATs data, parents should look to the school's own published outcomes or ask directly about Progress 8 and GCSE attainment to gauge academic performance relative to local competitors.
The school offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, a theatre, and a chapel, reflecting its Church of England foundation. Sports provision is varied, with hockey, rowing, martial arts, and gymnastics among the options. Clubs such as Model UN, eco club, and film club suggest an emphasis on enrichment beyond the classroom. The school is oversubscribed in the data, indicating local demand, though exact admission numbers are not provided. For families in Chorley seeking a secondary with strong pastoral care and behaviour standards, St Michael's stands out for its Outstanding ratings in personal development and behaviour. Its lack of a sixth form means pupils must plan for post-16 education elsewhere, but the school's facilities and club offerings make it a solid choice for families prioritising character development and a wide range of extracurricular activities within a Christian ethos.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Astley Road, Chorley, Chorley, PR7 1RS |
| Headteacher | Rachel Rongong |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 1,133 |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Sept 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 24 Nov 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
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.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
11
Total schools
9
Oversubscribed
8
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 St Michael's Church of England High 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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
School Open Days Calendar 2026/27
When open days happen and what to look for
Contact Information
Astley Road, Chorley
Chorley, PR7 1RS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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