Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School
Ofsted: InadequateAcademy converter · Secondary
Rossendale · BB4 7BJ · Lancashire
Ages 11–18
- Att872.0
- P80.4
- EM5+97%
- Absence5.0%
0.4 miles away
OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 147018
The Valley Leadership Academy
Academy sponsor led · Bacup · OL13 0TG
Ages 11–16 · 578 pupils · Lancashire
Ofsted
Needs attention
Attainment 8
29.6
Overall absence
16.2%
Admissions demand
0.76 · Often has places
Ofsted
Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.
Headline
Needs attention
Inspection date
2026-04-21
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- InclusionExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Safeguarding standards: Met
Performance
Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.
Key stage 4 (2023/24)
Progress 8-1.08
−20+2
Attainment 829.6
English & maths grade 5+32%
English & maths grade 4+40%
EBacc entry59%
EBacc APS: 2.7
Absence
Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.
Overall absence16.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)47.8%
Unauthorised9.7%
- Authorised absence
- 6.5%
- Severe absence (50%+)
- 12.3%
- Enrolments in measure
- 709
Absence trend
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
- Overall
- Persistent (10%+)
Admissions demand
Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.
Demand ratio
0.76 · Often has places
1st preferences
74
Places offered
134
1st-preference offers
74
- Total preferences (any rank)
- 159
- Preferred offers (top 3)
- 98
- Applications from outside LA
- 0
- Offers to outside-LA applicants
- 0
Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.
Size & intake
From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).
Capacity fill55%
578 pupils · 1,050 places
- Pupils on roll
- 578
- Boys / girls
- 288 / 290
- School capacity
- 1,050
- Capacity fill
- 578 / 1,050 (55%)
- Free school meals
- 41.9%
- FSM pupils
- 242
- Gender
- Mixed
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
Age range
Ages 11–16
05111619
Provision
Official GIAS characteristics
1 / 6
- Nursery
- Sixth form
- Boarding
- Special school
- Independent
- Academy
School characteristics
- Special classes
- No Special Classes
- Governance
- Academy trust: STAR ACADEMIES
- Academy trust
- STAR ACADEMIES
- Sponsor
- Star Academies
- Headteacher
- Ms Colette Roberts
Location
- Address
- Fearns Moss
- Postcode
- OL13 0TG
- Town
- Bacup
- County
- Lancashire
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- District
- Rossendale
- Constituency
- Rossendale and Darwen
- Urban/rural
- Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Local context
How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.
Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Bacup, Lancashire, 578 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 41.9%.
Nearby secondary schools
Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.
Alder Grange School
Ofsted: Needs attentionCommunity school · Secondary
Rossendale · BB4 8HW · Lancashire
Ages 11–18
- Att840.3
- P8-0.3
- EM5+32%
- Absence9.6%
2.0 miles away
All Saints' Roman Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy
Ofsted: Requires improvementAcademy converter · Secondary
Rossendale · BB4 6SJ · Lancashire
Ages 11–16
- Att838.1
- P8-0.8
- EM5+31%
- Absence11.2%
2.8 miles away
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Contact
- Headteacher
- Ms Colette Roberts
- Telephone
- 01706873896