The short version
Average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2023).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 41.0 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2023
- This school does not have a sixth form
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
41.0
2.8 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
31%
10.9pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
79%
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
88%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
86%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
1%
Employment
Directly into work
1%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
10%
Based on 224 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 15 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
26% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
2% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 15 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 10 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 118 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Foundation school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,118
- Capacity
- 99%
- FSM
- 38.7%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- Head
- Mr Matt Renshaw (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection: Good
7 official reports linked on this page, including 6 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection
January 2020 | School Inspection
Full inspection: Good
June 2016 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
March 2014 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Good
June 2011 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
February 2010 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Satisfactory
February 2008 | Full Inspection
Location
Eastern Avenue, Burnley, Lancashire, BB10 2AT
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmRidgewood Community High School
Special school · Very close
Basnett Street Nursery School
Nursery · 513m away
Burnley Primrose Hill School
Special school · 638m away
St James' Lanehead Church of England Primary School
Primary · 696m away
Heasandford Primary School
Primary · 812m away
Compass Community School Lancashire
Independent · 1.0km away
Silver Birch School
Independent · 1.1km away
Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy
Secondary · 1.3km away
Questions parents ask
Is Sir John Thursby Community College a selective school?
No. Sir John Thursby Community College is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Sir John Thursby Community College's Ofsted rating?
Sir John Thursby Community College was rated Good at its most recent inspection in April 2023. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Sir John Thursby Community College?
Sir John Thursby Community College currently has 1,118 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Sir John Thursby Community College take?
Sir John Thursby Community College caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Sir John Thursby Community College?
Sir John Thursby Community College is in Burnley, BB10 2AT, in the Lancashire local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Sir John Thursby Community College have a sixth form?
No, Sir John Thursby Community College does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
Premium school profiles
Researching a selective school?
We hold deep admissions intelligence on the UK's top selective schools — exam breakdowns, interview formats, and parent strategy briefs.