Tarleton Academy
About Tarleton Academy
Tarleton Academy is a mixed, non-denominational secondary school in West Lancashire that currently educates 675 pupils against a capacity of 750, meaning it has room to grow but is already a popular choice locally. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 17.5%, which is slightly above the national average for secondary schools and reflects a genuinely mixed catchment. Demand is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 317 applications for 131 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.42 to one. Of those, 117 were first-preference applications, and exactly 117 first-preference offers were made, suggesting that nearly every family who put Tarleton first got a place, but competition for those initial slots is fierce. The school does not have a sixth form, so pupils leave at 16, and its religious character is listed as none, making it a straightforward community option for families across the borough.
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
13 Jul 2023Latest monitoring visit (13 Jul 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 7 Jan 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tarleton Academy
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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications