Garstang Community Academy, Preston

From the headteacher's welcome: "Since my appointment as Headteacher in January 2023, it has been my privilege to lead Garstang Community Academy on a journey of continuous improvement. We are building something special here, and it is a mission we are on together - with our students, staff, governors, and parents/carers."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, badminton, art, Duke of Edinburgh and homework club.

In 2026, pupils at Garstang Community Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.2 in Lancashire and 47 across England.

47% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in Lancashire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 44.8.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.3: pupils made below 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 30.9, against 48.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 18 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 131 families put Garstang Community Academy as their first choice and 356 named it as one of their preferences, for 156 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

Garstang Community Academy is one of 10 schools run by Fylde Coast Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 38 in 2024/25.

84 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Garstang Community Academy (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (85%).

Of the 163 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 77% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 36% to a further education college, 9% to an apprenticeship and 7% into work.

1.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 107 pupils (14.3%) received SEN support and 19 (2.5%) 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.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Garstang Community Academy.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Garstang Academy Grounds (outside), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 37 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

In 2024/25, Garstang Community Academy issued 56 suspensions, 7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 4 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Garstang Community Academy are St Mary and St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Garstang (0.6 miles); Garstang St Thomas' Church of England Primary School (0.9 miles); Kirkland and Catterall St Helen's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (1 mile); and Garstang Community Primary School (1.2 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.