Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #56 in Lancashire public Top 35% UK

Our Lady's Catholic College

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMrs Helen Seddon

location_onLancaster, LA1 2RX

language Visit Website phone 152466689

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,031

trending_up

Attainment 8

41.3

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GCSE Rank

#55 in Lancashire

#2,360 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Our Lady's Catholic College is a Voluntary aided school secondary school in Lancaster, serving ages 11-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

Our Lady's Catholic College is a voluntary aided school in Lancaster, Lancashire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 999 pupils on roll, of whom 41% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 41.3, placing the school #55 in Lancashire and #2,360 of 3,216 nationally. 34.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 10.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 11 A-level subjects. 35.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 7.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.03 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.7× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 14.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 17 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 14.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

41.3

Grade 5+ E&M

34.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)10.3%

Entering EBacc8.40%

EBacc APS3.31

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.51

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc14.70%

EBacc APS3.07

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.40

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc10%

EBacc APS3.03

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.76

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

36.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS2.96

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc7%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc7%

EBacc APS3.17

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc9%

EBacc APS3.48

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)77%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

88%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)11%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.03

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.9%

Achieving A*–A7.8%

Achieving A*–B35.0%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate91.7%

A-level subjects offered11

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.35

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils do significantly better than expected at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate97.60%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate95.50%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

26 March 2024

Inspection Report

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23 September 2021

Inspection Report

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13 December 2016

Inspection Report

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19 September 2012

Inspection Report

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05 October 2011

Inspection Report

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30 March 2011

Inspection Report

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23 September 2009

Inspection Report

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30 September 2008

Inspection Report

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06 December 2006

Inspection Report

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14 October 2002

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

5 Evaluations

2024-03-26

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2021-09-23

Section 8 inspection of good and outstanding schools EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Requires improvement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2016-12-13

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2012-09-19

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2009-09-23

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

14.6%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

6.5%(65 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

8pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 999 pupils. During this period, there were 146 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 14.6%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	999	146	14.6%	7.3%	8
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,028	143	13.9%	7.8%	9
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,005	115	11.4%	7.4%	6
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,012	82	8.1%	7.1%	3
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,015	100	9.9%	8.2%	4
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,010	69	6.8%	6.6%	6
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,031	114	11.1%	6.4%	3
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,037	102	9.8%	5.9%	6
2021/22 (Summer term)	991	74	7.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,003	64	6.4%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,007	55	5.5%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	949	37	3.9%	3.6%	4
2020/21 (Spring term)	955	7	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	960	22	2.3%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	883	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	884	9	1.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	896	10	1.1%	4.2%	3
2018/19 (Summer term)	814	7	0.9%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	818	3	0.4%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	826	2	0.2%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	699	14	2.0%	3.4%	2
2017/18 (Spring term)	713	12	1.7%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	725	15	2.1%	3.7%	3
2016/17 (Summer term)	686	16	2.3%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	689	15	2.2%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	696	17	2.4%	3.1%	3

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 90 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 53 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 40 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 35 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 16 pupils

Physical Disability 8 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

74.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

81.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

23.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree30%

agree43%

disagree11%

strongly disagree9%

don't know6%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree28%

agree46%

disagree16%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree28%

agree29%

disagree14%

strongly disagree14%

don't know1%

not applicable15%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes40%

no60%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree34%

agree24%

disagree16%

strongly disagree24%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree35%

agree38%

disagree12%

strongly disagree6%

don't know9%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree36%

agree40%

disagree12%

strongly disagree11%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree37%

agree43%

disagree11%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree37%

agree50%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree41%

agree45%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree33%

agree33%

disagree18%

strongly disagree10%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes74%

no26%

Top Secondary Schools in Lancashire

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Clitheroe Royal Grammar School

Outstanding

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Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

Inadequate

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emoji_events #2 in LA

Lancaster Girls' Grammar School

Good

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emoji_events #3 in LA

Lancaster Royal Grammar School

Good

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emoji_events #4 in LA

Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy

Good

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emoji_events #5 in LA

Broughton High School

Outstanding

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emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Lancashire arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Roman Catholic)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Lancashire

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

Lancaster Girls' Grammar School

Lancaster Royal Grammar School

Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy

Broughton High School