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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Requires improvementURN 135003

Unity College

Foundation school · Burnley · BB11 3DF

Ages 11–16 · 1,402 pupils · Lancashire

School website

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Attainment 8

39.8

Overall absence

13.8%

Admissions demand

0.96 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Requires improvement

Inspection date

2024-02-20

Overall effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of education
Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal development
Requires improvement
Leadership and management
Requires improvement
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.21
−20+2
Attainment 839.8
English & maths grade 5+34%
English & maths grade 4+49%
EBacc entry39%

EBacc APS: 3.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence13.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)40.5%
Unauthorised4.1%
Authorised absence
9.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
9.6%
Enrolments in measure
1,513

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

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

0.96 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

284

Places offered

297

1st-preference offers

274

Total preferences (any rank)
765
Preferred offers (top 3)
297
Applications from outside LA
3
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

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 fill95%

1,402 pupils · 1,480 places

Pupils on roll
1,402
Boys / girls
706 / 696
School capacity
1,480
Capacity fill
1,402 / 1,480 (95%)
Free school meals
34.8%
FSM pupils
488
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Foundation school

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Supported by a trust
Headteacher
Ms Jane Richardson

Location

Address
Townley Holmes
Postcode
BB11 3DF
Town
Burnley
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Lancashire
District
Burnley
Constituency
Burnley
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 foundation school (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Burnley, Lancashire, 1,402 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 34.8%.

Open schools in Burnley
62
Secondary schools in Burnley
5
Academies among open schools in Burnley
16% (10)
Open schools in BB11
17
Secondary in BB11
1
Open schools in Lancashire LA
709
Secondary in Lancashire LA
81

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BurnleyNear BB11

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Jane Richardson
Telephone
01282683010
Website
http://www.unity-college.com/

Official links