Pleckgate High School, Blackburn

In its own words: "At Pleckgate everyone is committed to providing the best education and opportunities for our pupils. At the heart of the school’s work is a commitment to high aspirations for all; for our pupils to be safe, happy and successful developing as individuals into caring, responsible citizens who participate fully in school life and are proud of their achievements."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Hello, my name is Maira and I have been appointed to the role of Head Girl. Although I didn’t grow up in the UK, and initially had a hard time because of that, Pleckgate has helped me grow and has nurtured me in the best way possible."

In 2026, pupils at Pleckgate High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.2 in Blackburn with Darwen and 47 across England.

43% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in Blackburn with Darwen and 47% in England.

That is down from 49.2 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.01: pupils made about 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 42, against 49 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 281 families put Pleckgate High School as their first choice and 698 named it as one of their preferences, for 265 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 63 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Pleckgate High School are Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.3); Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School (1.4 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 68.7); St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy (1.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.8); and Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School (1.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 62.6).

Pleckgate High School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Pleckgate High School is one of 9 schools run by Education Partnership Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 44.7 in 2024/25.

Of the 259 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 61% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

26.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (86%) and other ethnic groups (6%).

In 2026, 199 pupils (14.9%) received SEN support and 29 (2.2%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Ramsgreave & Wilpshire Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pleckgate College (by), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 190 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Blackburn with Darwen (289).

In 2024/25, Pleckgate High School issued 35 suspensions, 2.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Pleckgate High School are Holy Souls Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn (0.2 miles), St Gabriel's Church of England Primary School (0.3 miles), Lammack Primary School (0.4 miles) and Cedars Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.