Accrington St Christopher's Church of England High School Review 2026: Faith-led secondary with a structured sixth form pathway

A Church of England academy with a clear faith ethos and a sizeable sixth form, this school combines traditional expectations around conduct with modern enrichment. The headteacher is Mr Richard Jones (Headmaster), who has led since 01 August 2013.

The latest Ofsted inspection (15 and 16 March 2022, published 19 May 2022) confirmed the school continues to be rated Good.

Academically, outcomes sit broadly in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile) for both GCSE and A-level measures in the FindMySchool rankings, with the strongest immediate story being consistency rather than standout headline scores. The school is also unusually explicit about enrichment structures, with a published extra-curricular timetable that includes everything from Science Café and Debate Club to SATB Choir and Jazz Band.

The school’s identity is unapologetically Anglican. Its published ethos frames daily life around Christian virtues, with worship and faith formation presented as part of the normal rhythm rather than an optional add-on.

That faith emphasis also shows up in pupil leadership and service. The school uses formal recognition for contribution, including Active Citizenship awards and structured roles for older students supporting younger pupils.

For families, the key cultural point is fit. A Church school can mean a calmer tone and a shared language around values, but it also means that admissions and community life are shaped by worship patterns and chaplaincy structures. If your family is comfortable with Christian worship as a daily norm, the environment is likely to feel coherent. If not, the same clarity can feel like a mismatch, even if the academic offer is otherwise appealing.

The motto, Ad Gloriam Dei (To the Glory of God), is used in school materials as a shorthand for that wider culture and sense of purpose.

GCSE performance (headline indicators)

At GCSE level, the school’s Attainment 8 score is 45.5, with an EBacc average point score of 3.95 and Progress 8 of -0.26. The EBacc grade 5 and above figure is 6.3%, which suggests either a highly selective EBacc entry strategy or a cohort profile where the EBacc measure is not the main driver of outcomes. In practical terms, parents should interpret the overall picture as mixed: solid attainment sits alongside below-average progress, which can matter if your child needs strong value-added from Year 7.

In the FindMySchool GCSE ranking (based on official data), the school is ranked 2454th in England and 1st locally in Accrington for GCSE outcomes, placing it in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). (FindMySchool ranking.)

A-level performance (headline indicators)

At A-level, 5.12% of entries are graded A*, 13.31% are A, 23.89% are B, and 42.32% are A* to B. Compared with England averages (A* to A: 23.6%; A* to B: 47.2%), this is somewhat below the national benchmark on top grades, though still within a broadly typical range for the sector.

In the FindMySchool A-level ranking (based on official data), the school is ranked 1499th in England and 1st locally in Accrington for A-level outcomes, again aligning with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). (FindMySchool ranking.)

How to use these numbers

For many families, the most useful question is not whether results are “good” in isolation, but whether the school is the right engine for your child. A negative Progress 8 score implies that, on average, pupils did not make as much progress as peers with similar starting points nationally. For a self-motivated pupil with strong support at home, that may be less concerning. For a pupil who needs exceptional classroom momentum and highly responsive intervention, it is something to investigate carefully through open events and conversation with subject leaders.

If you are comparing schools locally, the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool can help you line up GCSE and sixth form indicators side by side, so you can see whether the pattern is unique or typical for the area.

The school’s curriculum intent is framed around sequencing and knowledge-building, with an emphasis on pupils remembering more over time. The published inspection narrative supports a structured approach: teachers check gaps and adapt teaching accordingly, and classrooms are described as calm enough for staff to focus on learning rather than disruption.

A practical strength is the breadth of sixth form course availability on the published sixth form curriculum list. Students can access a wide range of academic A-level subjects, including Politics, Law, Psychology, Sociology, and Modern Foreign Languages, alongside more specialist options such as Product Design and Textiles.

Reading also receives explicit focus. The school’s literacy framing links reading to wider success across subjects, and the inspection narrative highlights additional reading time built into the day for pupils who need it, with an identified need to sharpen support for those who struggle most with fluency.

Sixth form and post-16

The sixth form is a central part of the school’s offer, with an admissions number of 135 for the Lower Sixth (subject to course choices). Entry expectations are clearly stated: a minimum of 4 GCSE grades 5 or above, plus at least grade 4 in English and Maths, with additional subject-specific requirements where relevant.

Destinations after sixth form

For the most recent published cohort (2023/24 leavers), 52% progressed to university. 21% moved into employment, 4% started apprenticeships, and 4% entered further education.

Oxbridge applications exist but at a small scale: 8 applications, 1 offer, and 1 acceptance in the measured period, with the acceptance recorded through Cambridge rather than Oxford. This is best read as an option for a small number of high-attaining students rather than a defining pipeline.

The wider destinations picture is likely to matter more for most families: careers guidance and progression planning are described as established, with particular emphasis at key transition points such as Years 11 and 13.

Year 7 entry (September 2026 intake)

Applications are handled through Lancashire’s coordinated admissions process. The online application window for September 2026 opened on 01 September 2025, with a deadline of 31 October 2025.

Because this is a Church of England school, families seeking priority under faith criteria must also complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF). The published admissions arrangements state that if the school is oversubscribed and the SIF is not completed, an application is considered under lower priority criteria because worship attendance cannot be assessed. The SIF must be returned directly to the school by 31 October 2025 for the September 2026 intake.

The published 2026 entry arrangements also set out several specific priority pathways, including defined links to named primary schools for a limited number of places, alongside sibling and staff criteria, and a graduated set of worship attendance thresholds for recognised churches. Where applications are tied within a criterion, straight-line distance is used as the tie-break.

Sixth form entry

Sixth form applications are taken directly, and applicants are invited to a short informal interview. If oversubscribed, priority is given first to students who studied throughout Key Stage 4 at the school, then to students living in Hyndburn where there are course vacancies, and then to other students where there are vacancies on chosen courses.

If distance and faith criteria are central to your decision, it is sensible to use FindMySchool’s Map Search to check your exact proximity and then cross-reference that with the school’s published admissions rules. Even where distance is a tie-break, the weighting of faith criteria means the wider admissions picture is more complex than proximity alone.

Pastoral support is tied closely to safeguarding systems and staff roles. The school’s safeguarding statement in its latest inspection report is clear, and the narrative also highlights investment in staff to support pupils’ mental health needs.

There is also an identifiable counselling function within staffing (a member of staff listed as School Counsellor, sixth form), suggesting that students have access to structured support beyond informal tutoring.

Behaviour expectations are communicated as explicit and consistent, supported by visible routines and reward structures, which tends to suit pupils who like clarity and predictable boundaries.

This is an area where the school provides unusual transparency. The published extra-curricular timetable (2025/26 Term 2) gives parents a realistic view of what pupils can do during breaks, lunchtimes, and after school, rather than relying on general statements.

A few examples show the breadth and the tone:

• Academic and enrichment clubs: Science Café, Debate Club, Computing Club, Geography Exam Prep, Creative Writing, and a film club titled Bookflix. The implication is a school that is willing to run both structured academic support and curiosity-driven sessions, which can be especially helpful for pupils who need a place to work before going home.

• Music: SATB Choir, Senior Vocals Choir, Cantores (Years 10 and 11), Wind Band, and Jazz Band. These are not one-off events but regular rehearsals, which tends to build confidence and teamwork over time.

• Faith and service: Christian Union and Youth Church sit alongside leadership structures and civic activity, linking the school’s stated ethos to weekly practice.

• Sport and physical activity: Running Club, Basketball Club, Netball sessions by year group, and Judo.

Facilities support that breadth. The school advertises a floodlit 3G pitch, a 4-court sports hall, a gymnasium, and a main hall, which align with the scale of fixtures and after-school activity implied by the timetable.

The school publishes a clear weekly structure. Monday to Thursday, the day runs from 08:50 (registration and assembly) to 15:15. On Friday, it runs from 08:50 to 14:15.

Transport planning is supported via a published safer travel document covering ways to get to school and bus services.

Wraparound care is not presented as a standard feature in the published school-day information. For families who need pre-school childcare or late after-school supervision as a routine, it is sensible to ask directly what is available beyond scheduled clubs and library access.

• Admissions are values-led, not purely distance-led. Faith criteria and supplementary forms materially shape who gets priority, so families should read the 2026 entry arrangements carefully and plan documentation early.

• Progress measures are a watchpoint. The Progress 8 score of -0.26 indicates below-average progress from starting points. Parents of pupils who need significant academic lift should explore what intervention looks like in core subjects.

• Reading support is still an improvement priority. Ofsted highlighted that some pupils were not yet reading as fluently and accurately as they should, and that leaders were still finalising the best approach for those who struggle most.

• Sixth form entry standards are explicit. The published GCSE grade thresholds mean not every Year 11 pupil will be able to continue into A-level study here, and external applicants need to be comfortable with an interview-led process.

A coherent Church of England school with clear expectations, visible enrichment, and a sixth form that is substantial enough to offer a broad A-level menu. It suits families who want a values-led environment, predictable routines, and plenty of structured lunchtime and after-school options, including music and academic clubs. For pupils who need strong value-added progress, the key question is how effectively subject teams identify gaps and accelerate learning in the classroom. Families considering this option should use the Saved Schools feature to track alternatives alongside it, particularly if admissions criteria or progress measures are decisive for your shortlist.