How do you decide which schools are best?

We combine official data sources and our methodology to highlight consistent performance. Use filters to personalise results based on what matters to your family.

Are all Burnley neighbourhoods included?

Yes. We group schools by their locality field so you can quickly scan areas and their nearby schools. All sections are expanded by default on this page.

Why do results differ from Ofsted-only lists?

We consider a broader set of indicators and present more flexible filtering, including faith options, mixed/grammar status, and age ranges.

2026 Best Secondary Schools in Burnley Area

Burnley secondary schools serve a former Lancashire mill town with 8 schools offering comprehensive education. Burnley High School, Sir John Thursby Community College, and Shuttleworth College are among the area's highest-performing options. With an average Attainment 8 score of 39 and secondary schools have an average FMS Inspection Score of 5.8/10, Developing band, compared with England's 7.4/10 (Good). Use the search filters to compare schools by Attainment 8 or FMS Inspection Score.

All schools in Burnley

Top schools in Burnley

Showing 1-8 of 8 schools

Burnley High School
Burnley Wood
Sir John Thursby Community College
Daneshouse
Shuttleworth College
Padiham
Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College
Heasandford
Unity College
Towneley
Lincoln House School
Burnley Town Centre
Olive High Boys
Burnley Wood
Rosa House School
Worsthorne