The short version
Below-average GCSE results. Rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted (2024).
- GCSE results are below the national average (Attainment 8: 30.0 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in 2024
- This school does not have a sixth form
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
30.0
13.8 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
20%
22.2pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
25%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
78%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
72%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
2%
Employment
Directly into work
4%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
18%
Based on 85 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 32 days per year on average — over a month of school.
47% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
15% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 32 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 20 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 34 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 681
- Capacity
- 57%
- FSM
- 53%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Blackpool
- Trust
- STAR ACADEMIES
- Head
- Mrs Kim Greenwood
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksMonitoring visit
8 official reports linked on this page, including 7 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection: Requires Improvement
March 2024 | School Inspection
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
July 2021 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
March 2021 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
September 2020 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
February 2020 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
June 2019 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Inadequate
December 2018 | Full Inspection
Location
Highfield Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 3JZ
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmHawes Side Academy
Primary · 415m away
Our Lady of The Assumption Catholic Primary School, Blackpool
Primary · 591m away
Piers House
Independent · 645m away
Marton Primary Academy and Nursery
Primary · 769m away
Spen Brook School
Independent · 780m away
Roseacre Primary Academy
Primary · 1.0km away
Armfield Academy
All-through · Grammar · 1.2km away
South Shore Academy
Secondary · 1.3km away
Questions parents ask
Is Highfield Leadership Academy a selective school?
No. Highfield Leadership Academy is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Highfield Leadership Academy's Ofsted rating?
Highfield Leadership Academy was rated Requires Improvement at its most recent inspection in October 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Highfield Leadership Academy?
Highfield Leadership Academy currently has 681 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Highfield Leadership Academy take?
Highfield Leadership Academy caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Highfield Leadership Academy?
Highfield Leadership Academy is in Blackpool, FY4 3JZ, in the Blackpool local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Highfield Leadership Academy have a sixth form?
No, Highfield Leadership Academy does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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