The educational watchdog Ofsted visited 113 mainstream primary schools, secondary schools and colleges in Lancashire between January 1 2024 and December 26 2025.
Educational establishments can be rated one of four grades - outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate - with a mix of ratings being given out throughout the year.
As of September 2024, Ofsted also changed the way it inspects schools so now, no overall effectiveness rating is given, instead just individual ratings across categories.
Of those 113 schools and colleges, nineteen were rated either ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ against one or all categories in 2025.
Take a look at all those schools and colleges below, including their highlights and the areas that require improvement.
5. Rawtenstall Newchurch Church of England Primary School
Report published Feb 4 following an inspection on Jan 8-9. Classed as good for 3 categories, requires improvement for 2. Highlights: warm and nurturing school; pupils behave well; ambitious curriculum. Improvements needed: identify key info children in early years need to learn; new curriculums are not fully emedded so there are gaps in knowledge; checks on learning. Previous inspection: Good. | Google Maps
6. St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy
Report published Feb 14 following an inspection on Jan 14-15. Classed as good for 3 categories, requires improvement for 2. Highlights: welcoming school; pupils behave well; new, ambitious curriculum. Improvements needed: delivery of curriculum; achievement in early years; checks on learning. Previous inspection: N/A. | Google Maps
7. Meadowhead Junior School
Report published Feb 14 following an ungraded inspection on Jan 14-15. Inspection suggests aspects of school may not be as strong as last full report (i.e. could be 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate'). Highlights: nurturing school; pupils feel happy & safe; varied offer of extra-curricular clubs. Improvements needed: several pupils have gaps in knowledge due to weaknesses in previous curriculum; attendance. Previous inspection: Good. | Google Maps
8. Unity Academy
Report published Mar 6 following an inspection on Dec 10-11. Rated good for 2 categories, inadequate for 2 and requires improvement for 1. Highlights: pupil are typically happy; broad and ambitious curriculum. Improvements needed: delivery of curriculum; pupils’ attitude to learning; staff do not rectify gaps in learning quickly enough. Previous inspection: Requires Improvement. | Eric Wright Construction Group