Charnwood College, Loughborough

From the headteacher's welcome: "David Ross Education Trust schools create a rich and exciting learning environment that inspires students to become their confident, academic best. Charnwood College broadens the horizons of all students through high academic standards and unrivalled enrichment opportunities. Developing respectful, confident, articulate and motivated students. I am incredibly proud and delighted to welcome you to Charnwood College."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include tennis, ballet, drama, photography and book club.

In 2026, pupils at Charnwood College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.6, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.8 in Leicestershire and 47 across England.

50% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 47% in Leicestershire and 47% in England.

That is up from 43.9 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.19: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 34.1, against 53.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 19.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were History, Chemistry and Biology.

For September 2026 entry, 108 families put Charnwood College as their first choice and 457 named it as one of their preferences, for 142 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 11 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Charnwood College are De Lisle College Loughborough Leicestershire (0.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 57.5); Limehurst Academy (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.4); Iveshead School (1.8 miles, Attainment 8 44.2); and Woodbrook Vale School (1.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.4).

Charnwood College's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Charnwood College is one of 36 schools run by The David Ross Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 41.5 in 2024/25.

Of the 63 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 79% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 62% to a further education college, 5% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 36 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 58% went on to university or other higher education, 8% to apprenticeships and 14% into work. 9% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

In 2026, 112 pupils (16.9%) received SEN support and 18 (2.7%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Loughborough Central (Great Central Railway), about 1.8 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Charnwood College (adjacent), 130 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Charnwood College stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 7th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 182 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Leicestershire (58), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Charnwood College issued 54 suspensions, 8.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Charnwood College are Thorpe Acre Junior School (under 0.1 miles), Thorpe Acre Infant School (0.2 miles), Booth Wood Academy (0.4 miles) and Robert Bakewell Primary School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.