School Chooser

Lancaster Royal Grammar School

Secondary · ages 11-18MixedAcademy (grammar)Christian1,294 pupilsSixth formLancasterLancashire
School Chooser Score
94
Well above
similar schools
Likely range 92 to 96
Out of 100. Better than 42% of the 50 schools most like it. Much the same over the last five years.
OfstedGoodLast Ofsted inspection, October 2021
Strong pass in English and maths99%England 46%
Attendance93.9%England 91.4%
Pupils from low-income families9%Far fewer than most schools
PlacesFull1,294 pupils, 1,165 places
Pupils per teacher17.4School workforce census

Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a converter academy in Lancaster for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. It has 1,294 pupils, 129 more than it has places for. About 9 in every 100 pupils come from a low-income family, far fewer than at most schools in England. We give it 94 out of 100. That puts it well above schools like it, ahead of 42% of the 50 schools most like it. Ofsted's last grade was good, back in 2021.

East Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EF01524 580600lrgs.org.ukDr Christopher Pyle headAll details

What Ofsted found

Ofsted's last full inspection was on 19 October 2021, back when it gave schools one overall grade. Read the report on Ofsted's website.

Good overall.

TeachingOfsted calls this “quality of education”
Good
BehaviourOfsted calls this “behaviour and attitudes”
Outstanding
WellbeingOfsted calls this “personal development”
Outstanding
LeadershipOfsted calls this “leadership and management”
Good
Sixth formOfsted calls this “post-16”
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Effective
Yes

This inspection is more than 4 years old. When Ofsted next visits, the school will get a report card instead of one grade.

Results

GCSE results, summer 2025

170 pupils sat their GCSEs. Here is how they did against every state secondary in England.

Average GCSE score74.1
England 46.8
Official name: Attainment 8
Strong pass in English and maths99%
England 46%
Official name: Grade 5+ in English and maths
Standard pass in English and maths100%
England 66%
Official name: Grade 4+ in English and maths
Progress from age 11+0.59In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level. (From 2023/24, the latest year there is. The government didn't work it out for the 2025 year group.)Official name: Progress 8
Trend
Average GCSE score
2018 to 2025
2018: 69.769.720182019: 71.471.420192022: 72.572.520222023: 72.272.220232024: 72.072.020242025: 74.174.12025
Since 2018: +4.4Steady overall
All GCSE measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018LancashireEngland
Pupils at the end of Year 11170172172181149142
Average GCSE scoreAttainment 874.172.072.272.571.469.746.046.8
Progress from age 11Progress 8+0.59+0.67+0.54+0.16+0.14
Strong pass in English and mathsGrade 5+ in English and maths99%95%97%98%96%95%44%46%
Standard pass in English and mathsGrade 4+ in English and maths100%100%99%99%99%98%65%66%
Core subjects scoreEBacc average point score6.726.346.476.316.386.014.044.15
Taking the core subjectsEBacc entry68%57%62%56%63%54%35%41%
Average GCSE score: low-income pupilsAttainment 8, disadvantaged70.664.362.567.469.6
Average GCSE score: other pupilsAttainment 8, non-disadvantaged74.372.573.371.669.7
Average GCSE score: pupils who started aheadAttainment 8, high prior attainers73.874.575.671.070.0

Subjects

Results came out for 22 GCSE subjects in 2025. Each figure is the share of pupils who got a grade 5 or better, next to the average for state secondaries in England.

Strongest subjects

Design & Technology100%grades 9 to 5, England 50% · 26th of 1,478 schools
Food Preparation & Nutrition100%grades 9 to 5, England 52% · 7th of 1,098 schools
Geography99%grades 9 to 5, England 51% · 39th of 3,116 schools
Mathematics100%grades 9 to 5, England 53% · 32nd of 3,211 schools
What is taught hereOffers triple science, 5 languages, computer science, music, classics.

The small number is how many pupils sat each subject. Subjects with fewer than six pupils aren't published.

Every subject against England, 2025
Mathematics170 entries · 1st of 80 in Lancashire
100%England 53%
English Literature170 entries · 2nd of 80 in Lancashire
94%England 58%
English Language170 entries · 1st of 80 in Lancashire
98%England 54%
Physics157 entries · 4th of 64 in Lancashire
98%England 82%
Chemistry153 entries · 8th of 64 in Lancashire
97%England 81%
Biology146 entries · 4th of 68 in Lancashire
99%England 82%
History96 entries · 1st of 78 in Lancashire
97%England 52%
Geography91 entries · 1st of 79 in Lancashire
99%England 51%
Spanish77 entries · 4th of 41 in Lancashire
88%England 54%
Religious Studies67 entries · 2nd of 57 in Lancashire
99%England 60%
Computer Science67 entries · 4th of 40 in Lancashire
93%England 56%
German60 entries · 2nd of 13 in Lancashire
92%England 63%
Design & Technology57 entries · 2nd of 46 in Lancashire
100%England 50%
French47 entries · 1st of 38 in Lancashire
94%England 60%
Physical Education39 entries · 2nd of 39 in Lancashire
92%England 56%
Art and Design34 entries · 9th of 67 in Lancashire
85%England 58%
Food Preparation & Nutrition25 entries · 1st of 31 in Lancashire
100%England 52%
Music24 entries · 2nd of 5 in Lancashire
71%England 61%
Latin18 entries
100%England 82%
Classical Greek13 entries
62%England 86%
Drama11 entries
100%England 60%
SubjectEntriesGrades 9 to 7Grades 9 to 5Grades 9 to 4England 9 to 5Rank in England
Mathematics17079%100%100%53%32 of 3,211
English Literature17058%94%98%58%102 of 3,202
English Language17051%98%100%54%49 of 3,210
Physics15768%98%100%82%487 of 2,546
Chemistry15372%97%99%81%562 of 2,537
Biology14667%99%100%82%347 of 2,570
History9670%97%98%52%54 of 3,126
Geography9158%99%99%51%39 of 3,116
Spanish7766%88%96%54%92 of 1,941
Religious Studies6775%99%99%60%35 of 1,825
Computer Science6764%93%99%56%104 of 1,861
German6058%92%97%63%70 of 571
Design & Technology5775%100%100%50%26 of 1,478
French4768%94%94%60%108 of 1,974
Physical Education3949%92%97%56%92 of 1,559
Art and Design3456%85%94%58%302 of 2,818
Food Preparation & Nutrition2588%100%100%52%7 of 1,098
Music2429%71%83%61%188 of 395
Latin1894%100%100%82%
Classical Greek1323%62%69%86%
Drama1164%100%100%60%
Other Modern Languages875%75%75%49%

In combined science each pupil gets two grades and we count the lower one. Rankings only include state secondaries where 20 or more pupils sat the subject.

A level and sixth-form results, 2025

221 students finished sixth-form courses.

Average A level gradeB+42.3 points per entry
A level progress+0.10Against students elsewhere with the same GCSE grades. 0 is average.
AAB or better38%with two subjects universities favour
Stayed and finished97%of students who started
All sixth-form measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018
Students221206204190303297
Average A level points per entryA level APS per entry42.2541.2641.9144.2642.4840.83
Average A level gradeB+BB+B+B+B
Best three A levelsBest 3 A levels APS41.9840.9742.0546.2643.5143.17
AAB or better in subjects universities likeAAB+ in two facilitating subjects38%35%42%67%48%47%
A level progressA level value added+0.10+0.03+0.22+0.10
Stayed and finishedRetained and assessed97%95%97%99%98%89%

A level subjects

20 A level subjects had results in 2025. Each figure is the share of students who got an A* to B, next to the average for state sixth forms in England. When only a handful of students take a subject, its figures jump around from year to year.

Strongest A levels

Government and Politics100%A* to B, England 55% · 14 entries
History97%A* to B, England 55% · 35 entries
Religious Studies82%A* to B, England 50% · 17 entries
Design and Technology (Product Design)69%A* to B, England 38% · 13 entries
A levels taught hereThe small number is how many students sat each one in 2025.
SubjectsMathematics124Chemistry82Biology70Physics70Business Studies56Economics41Geography40History35Mathematics (Further)20Computer Science20English Literature17Religious Studies17Government and Politics14Design and Technology (Product Design)13Physical Education / Sports Studies12Fine Art8Classical Civilisation7Drama and Theatre Studies6French6Spanish5
Every A level subject against England, 2025
Mathematics124 entries · 55% A* or A · 99% passed
77%England 60%
Chemistry82 entries · 49% A* or A · 99% passed
70%England 53%
Biology70 entries · 49% A* or A · 100% passed
73%England 49%
Physics70 entries · 46% A* or A · 97% passed
63%England 51%
Business Studies56 entries · 29% A* or A · 100% passed
68%England 47%
Economics41 entries · 39% A* or A · 100% passed
76%England 57%
Geography40 entries · 25% A* or A · 100% passed
58%England 51%
History35 entries · 51% A* or A · 100% passed
97%England 55%
Mathematics (Further)20 entries · 85% A* or A · 100% passed
90%England 76%
Computer Science20 entries · 50% A* or A · 100% passed
70%England 46%
English Literature17 entries · 53% A* or A · 100% passed
82%England 52%
Religious Studies17 entries · 41% A* or A · 100% passed
82%England 50%
Government and Politics14 entries · 57% A* or A · 100% passed
100%England 55%
Design and Technology (Product Design)13 entries · 39% A* or A · 100% passed
69%England 38%
Physical Education / Sports Studies12 entries · 0% A* or A · 100% passed
25%England 41%
Fine Art8 entries · 88% A* or A · 100% passed
100%England 65%
Classical Civilisation7 entries · 14% A* or A · 100% passed
71%England 55%
Drama and Theatre Studies6 entries · 17% A* or A · 100% passed
100%England 54%
French6 entries · 33% A* or A · 100% passed
83%England 60%
Spanish5 entries · 0% A* or A · 0% passed
0%England 59%

A levels only. BTECs, T levels and other courses are in the table above. Subjects with fewer than five students aren't published.

Does every child do well here?

A good school does well by every child, not just on average. Each row compares two groups of pupils here. The grey marks show the same two groups across England. Every gap at this school is smaller than the gap across England. When a group has fewer than about ten pupils, its figures jump around a lot from year to year.

At GCSE, 2025

Average GCSE scoreLow-income pupils vs other pupils
70.674.3
Gap 3.7England 12.2
Strong pass in English and mathsLow-income pupils vs other pupils
100%99%
Gap 1 ptsEngland 22 pts
First groupSecond groupEngland, each group

Low-income means the child has had free school meals at some point in the last six years. A group's figure isn't published when it has fewer than six pupils.

Getting a place

Grammar school. This is a grammar school, so places depend on an entrance test. As a Christian school it may put families of that faith first. Check the school's own admissions rules.

Full1,286 pupils for 1,250 places, 2024/25
103% full

The school is full, with 36 more pupils than it has places for. More families apply than can get in, so things like how close you live and whether an older brother or sister is already here decide who gets a place. Pupil numbers have stayed about the same since 2021/22.

Each council publishes its own figures on how many families applied and how far away the last child to get a place lived. We are adding councils one at a time. If you have a link to Lancashire council's admissions booklet, send it to us.

Who goes here

Who a school teaches matters. That is why our score compares it with schools that take in a similar mix of children, not with every school in the country.

Pupils on roll1,294Census January 2026
Places1,165111% full
Pupils from low-income families7%9% have had free school meals at some point in the last six years
Pupils learning English11%First language is not English
Pupils getting extra support5%70 pupils with SEN support
Pupils with an EHC plan1%13 pupils with a plan
Average class size21.155 classes, January 2026; England 22.8
Classes with more than 30 pupils6%share of one-teacher classes; England 12%
Pupils with extra funding (pupil premium)9%£85,800 extra funding in 2026/27; England 30%
Boys and girls1,209 / 85
White British pupils57%

The most common needs among pupils getting extra support: Autistic spectrum disorder (31), emotional and mental health (18), Specific learning difficulty (18), Moderate learning difficulty (11), Hearing impairment (2), Physical disability (2).

How the mix of pupils has changed
Census202620252024202320222021
Pupils on roll1,2941,2901,2691,2611,2601,223
Pupils from low-income familiesFree school meals7%6%5%4%4%3%
Pupils learning EnglishEnglish as an additional language11%11%9%9%8%8%
Pupils getting extra supportSEN support11%12%12%11%13%
Pupils with an EHC planEducation, health and care plans1%1%1%1%1%

Attendance and behaviour

In 2024/25 pupils were in school 93.9% of the time. Across similar schools in England it was 91.4%.

Attendance93.9%
England 91.4%
Official name: 100 minus overall absence
Pupils missing a lot of school18.0%
England 23.9%
Official name: Persistent absence
Suspensions per 100 pupils1.42024/25, no permanent exclusions
Missed without permission0.5%of school time, 2024/25
Attendance year by year
Measure2024/252023/242022/232021/222020/212018/19England
Sessions missedOverall absence6.1%6.5%5.9%5.9%3.6%4.6%8.6%
Missed with permissionAuthorised absence5.6%6.1%5.6%5.5%3.4%4.4%
Missed without permissionUnauthorised absence0.5%0.4%0.4%0.3%0.2%0.2%
Pupils missing a lot of schoolPersistent absence18.0%21.6%17.3%15.2%5.8%10.1%23.9%
SuspensionsSuspension rate1.42.52.01.80.5
Permanent exclusionsPermanent exclusions00000

What pupils do next

After GCSEs

Where the 172 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training99%and stayed there for at least six months
Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training99%99%97%99%
Education99%96%97%97%
Apprenticeship0%3%0%1%
Work1%0%1%0%
Not in education, work or training1%1%1%0%

After sixth form

Where the 200 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training90%and stayed there for at least six months

Where the ones heading for university went

Went on to degree-level study or training83%England 72%
Top-third universities54%England 22%. The universities that ask for the highest grades
Higher or degree apprenticeship4%England 6%
Higher technical course1%Level 4 or 5, such as an HNC or HND

Among students from low-income families, 100% went on to degree-level study or training and 67% to a top-third university.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training90%87%91%
Education65%54%69%
Apprenticeship4%9%3%1%
Work22%25%19%
Not in education, work or training6%6%6%

Staff and money

From the government's count of school staff in November 2025 and the school's published accounts.

Teachers74.3full-time equivalent, 84 people
Pupils per teacher17.4Pupils for every full-time teacher
Fully qualified teachers100%hold qualified teacher status
Teaching assistants12.7full-time equivalent
Average teacher pay£52,493
Teachers who left in the year7%2024/25, for any reason including retirement
Vacancies0
Sick days per teacher3.22024/25

Money

From the academy accounts return, year to August 2025. The per-pupil figures are compared with other secondary schools in England that report their accounts the same way.

Spend per pupil£9,398England £7,965. Total £12m
Income per pupil£9,543England £8,423. Total £12m
Spent on teachers per pupil£4,400England £4,444
Money in reserve5%Not much put by: £605k, £469 per pupil. England 10%
Money in against money out+£188kit took in more than it spent this year
Where the money goes£9,398spent per pupil

Reserves are the money left over at the end of the year, kept back for emergencies and big projects. Being in the red year after year is a warning sign. Very large reserves can mean money sitting in the bank instead of being spent on today's pupils. Academy figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and include a share of any money the trust holds centrally.

The area around the school

Crimes within 500 m33012 months to June 2026, mostly anti-social behaviour
Local crime rate239 per 1,000 people163% higher than the England average
Typical house price£200,000Lancaster
Nearest bus stop20 mRoyal Grammar School, 29 stops within 500 m

Crime figures come from police.uk. The police record each crime at the nearest of a fixed set of map points rather than the exact spot, so “within 500 m” is only rough. House prices are from HM Land Registry sales nearby over the last two years.

Nearby schools

The closest secondary schools, nearest first. Hover over a row to see it on the map.

Well aboveAboveIn lineBelowWell belowNot scored
SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
Lancaster Girls' Grammar SchoolAcademy (grammar)880 m1,038Good 202293Compare
Lancaster High SchoolAcademy920 m567Good 202311Compare
Our Lady's Catholic CollegeRoman Catholic0.7 miles981Requires improvement 202411Compare
Ripley St Thomas Church of England AcademyAcademy0.7 miles1,755Outstanding 202287Compare
Morecambe Bay AcademyAcademy3.1 miles1,045Good 20239Compare
Bay Leadership AcademyAcademy3.7 miles726Good 202223Compare

Compared with schools like it

Our score compares Lancaster Royal Grammar School with the 50 schools in England whose pupils are most like its own. We match on family income, how many children are learning English, special needs, the neighbourhood, the size of the school and how it admits pupils. Those 50 schools are dotted all over the country, so we don't list them. What matters is where this school sits among them.

Beats42%of schools with a similar mix of pupils
In the lower half of its group. Its score of 94 is about the same as the typical school in the group.
0Lowest of the group 84 · middle 96 · highest 99100

How the score was worked out

The score is out of 100. A 94 means that once everything below is added up, this school comes out ahead of 94% of secondary schools in England. Results bounce around from year to year, especially in small schools, so we also show a likely range: 92 to 96. Every part is judged against schools with a similar mix of pupils. For small schools we pull each part towards the group average, so one unusual year can't swing the score too far.

What we looked atHow much it countsAgainst schools like itEffect on the scoreBased on
Results over three years20%well above
+0.58
2025, 2024 and 2023 results; 170 pupils
Ofsted inspection15% (normally 20%, cut because the inspection is old)in line
+0.01
Ofsted grade, 4.9 years old
Progress pupils make20%well above
+0.26
DfE progress measure; 170 pupils
Direction of travel over five years10%above
+0.07
results and attendance rising year on year
Attendance and behaviour10%above
+0.10
2024/25; 807 pupils
Results, allowing for the mix of pupils10%above
+0.06
Attainment relative to schools with a similar intake; 170 pupils
What pupils do next5%well above
+0.08
172 pupils
What parents say0%no data

Worked out on 13 September 2026 (method v1). Read how the score works, including every weight and the checks we run. Think a number is wrong? Tell us.

Questions parents ask

Is Lancaster Royal Grammar School a good school?

Yes, going by the figures. Lancaster Royal Grammar School scores 94 out of 100. That is well above schools that take in a similar mix of pupils, and ahead of 42% of the 50 schools most like it in England. The score could fairly be anywhere from 92 to 96, so a few points either way between schools doesn't mean much.

What is Lancaster Royal Grammar School's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Lancaster Royal Grammar School good at its last full inspection on 19 October 2021. That was more than four years ago. When Ofsted next visits, the school will get a report card instead of a single grade.

How good are Lancaster Royal Grammar School's GCSE results?

In summer 2025, 99% of pupils got a grade 5 or better in both English and maths. Across England it was 46%. Its Attainment 8 score, which is the average grade across a pupil's best eight subjects times ten, was 74.1, against 46.8 for England. In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level.

How many pupils does Lancaster Royal Grammar School have?

1,294 pupils aged 11 to 18 were on the roll in January 2026. It has 1,165 places, so it is 111% full.

Is Lancaster Royal Grammar School oversubscribed?

Probably. The school was full in 2024/25, with 36 more pupils than places. How close you live, and the school's other admissions rules, decide who gets in.

Does Lancaster Royal Grammar School have an entrance exam?

Yes. It is a grammar school, so places depend on an entrance test, usually sat in September of Year 6. Check the school's admissions page for the test dates and the pass mark.

What is attendance like at Lancaster Royal Grammar School?

Pupils were in school 93.9% of the time in 2024/25. Similar schools in England managed 91.4%. 18% of pupils missed at least a tenth of the year.

How big are the classes at Lancaster Royal Grammar School?

The average class had 21.1 pupils in January 2026. Across England it was 22.8. 6% of classes had more than 30 pupils.

Does Lancaster Royal Grammar School have a sixth form?

Yes. The average A level grade in 2025 was B+. 20 A level subjects had results in 2025; the full list is in the results section.

These answers come straight from the figures on this page and update when new data comes out.

Contact and details

Address
East Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EF
Telephone
01524 580600
Website
www.lrgs.org.uk
Head
Dr Christopher Pyle
Type of school
Converter academy (Academy converter, academies)
Phase
Secondary school, ages 11-18, with sixth form
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Christian
Single-academy trust
Lancaster Royal Grammar School (1 schools)
Local authority
Lancashire
Ward
Bulk
Constituency
Lancaster and Wyre
Setting
Urban: Further from a major town or city
Opened
15 April 2011 (academy converter)
URN
136742 · LAESTAB 8885401 · UKPRN 10033644
Formerly
Lancaster Royal Grammar School

Recent changes

  • New KS4 results for 2024/25

Where these figures come from