Best secondary schools in Lancaster (2026)
Lancaster has 5 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is Lancaster Royal Grammar School, in the top 3% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 55.0, against 46.1 for England. 2 are in England's top 10%, and 1 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 2 grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 3% in England |
Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster · Grammar · Christian |
72.8 | 74.1 | 99% | Good | |
2 Top 3% in England |
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School Lancaster · Grammar · Girls |
72.9 | 73.4 | 92% | Good | |
3 Top 21% in England |
Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy Lancaster · Church of England |
52.0 | 50.7 | 58% | Outstanding | |
4 Bottom 17% in England |
Our Lady's Catholic College Lancaster · Roman Catholic |
39.1 | 41.3 | 35% | Requires improvement | |
5 Bottom 7% in England |
Lancaster High School Lancaster |
35.4 | 35.6 | 25% | Good |
Other towns in Lancashire
- Accrington
- Bamber Bridge
- Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
- Blackpool
- Burnley
- Chorley
- Colne
- Darwen
- Fulwood
- Leyland
- Orrell
- Penwortham
- Preston
- Rawtenstall
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Lancaster?
On exam results over the last three years, Lancaster Royal Grammar School is the top-ranked secondary school in Lancaster, in the top 3% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.