Albany Academy occupies a site on the southern edge of Chorley, where the town begins to give way to the Lancashire countryside. Serving approximately 750 students aged 11 to 16, it remains a smaller secondary school by modern standards, a factor that contributes to its self-described close-knit community. The school has been an academy since 2012 and is the lead school of the Albany Learning Trust.
Recent performance data shows a school that delivers a solid, middle tier education, ranking 4th among secondary schools in the Chorley area. Peter Mayland has led the academy as Headteacher since 2014, providing a decade of leadership stability. The school was last inspected by Ofsted on 05 March 2024, where it maintained its Good rating, with inspectors highlighting the respectful relationships between staff and students.
The academy sits on Bolton Road in the Heapey area, and its physical footprint reflects a mix of original structures and modern additions. The atmosphere is generally calm and purposeful; without the presence of a sixth form, the Year 11 students take on the mantle of leadership, serving as prefects and role models for the younger cohorts.
Albany Academy places significant emphasis on its core values: Ambition, Respect, and Community. These are evident in the daily routines, where students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own conduct. The school operates a traditional house system, with students belonging to one of four houses: Victory, Endeavour, Valiant, and Conqueror. This structure facilitates internal competition in sports and academic challenges, helping to make the 750 student population feel more manageable and personal.
The latest Ofsted report noted that students feel safe and that bullying is dealt with effectively. There is a sense of local pride here; many staff members are long standing, and the school remains a popular choice for families in the immediate catchment areas of Chorley, Heapey, and White Coppice. The school gates also feature a blue plaque commemorating the site as the birthplace of Charles Lightoller, the most senior officer to survive the Titanic.
In 2024, Albany Academy achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 44.5. This performance reflects a solid standard, placing the school in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Within the local context, the academy ranks 4th in Chorley for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking).
The school's Progress 8 score of -0.1 indicates that students make progress that is broadly in line with the England average. In the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 10.8% of students achieved a grade 5 or above, which is below the England average of 40.5%. This suggests a curriculum where many students choose a mix of academic and vocational subjects rather than the traditional EBacc suite.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching at Albany Academy is structured around the "Albany Way," a set of pedagogical principles designed to ensure consistency across different departments. The curriculum is broad in Key Stage 3, covering the full National Curriculum before students select their options for GCSE.
In Key Stage 4, the academy offers a range of traditional GCSEs alongside vocational qualifications such as BTEC Tech Awards. This dual approach aims to cater to a mixed ability intake. Science is a popular subject area, and the school maintains modern laboratory facilities to support practical learning.
Specialist support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is coordinated by the SENCO and a team of teaching assistants. Support is primarily delivered through high quality inclusive teaching in the classroom, supplemented by small group interventions for literacy and numeracy where required.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Pastoral care is organised through the house system and year group tutors. Each student has a tutor who serves as the first point of contact for families. This system is designed to ensure that in a school of over 700 students, no individual feels overlooked.
The academy has invested in mental health support, including a dedicated pastoral suite where students can go if they feel overwhelmed. The "Be Kind" initiative is a visible part of school life, encouraging students to support one another. Behaviour is managed through a clear system of rewards and sanctions; most students respond well to the high expectations set by leadership.
Extracurricular life at Albany Academy is diverse, with a strong emphasis on participation. The school features a large sports hall and outdoor courts that host a variety of clubs.
The academy is particularly active in local Lancashire school leagues. Beyond traditional football and netball, students participate in the Chorley School Sport Partnership events.
The music department offers various ensembles, and the annual school production is a major event in the calendar, involving students in performance, technical lighting, and set design.
Students have the opportunity to participate in the Lego Robotics club and the Faraday Challenge, which encourages engineering and problem solving skills.
The academy runs a Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme which is well attended, taking advantage of the school's proximity to the West Pennine Moors for trekking and navigation exercises.
Albany Academy is a highly sought after school. In the most recent admissions cycle, it was significantly oversubscribed. There were 610 applications for 127 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 4.8 applications for every available seat.
Admissions are coordinated by Lancashire County Council. Priority is given to looked after children, siblings of current students, and those living closest to the school. Parents are encouraged to use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the Bolton Road gates, as the academy's popularity often results in a tight geographic intake.
As Albany Academy does not have its own sixth form, all students transition to external providers at age 16. The majority of leavers progress to Runshaw College in Leyland or Cardinal Newman College in Preston, both of which are high performing post 16 institutions.
The academy provides a structured careers programme from Year 7 through to Year 11. This includes one to one careers interviews, visits to local colleges, and an annual careers fair. A small percentage of students also secure apprenticeships with local employers in Chorley and the wider North West area.
Albany Academy is a state funded academy; therefore, there are no tuition fees for students. This is a state school with no tuition fees. Focus is primarily on catchment area and admissions criteria. Families may need to budget for associated costs such as uniform, school trips, and optional music lessons, though support is often available for those eligible for Pupil Premium funding.
Applications
610
Total received
Places Offered
127
Subscription Rate
4.8x
Apps per place
The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. While there is no formal wraparound care for secondary aged students, many extracurricular clubs run until 4:15pm.
In terms of transport, the school is served by local bus routes connecting to Chorley town centre and nearby villages. There is limited on site parking for visitors, so parents are encouraged to use designated drop off points to avoid congestion on Bolton Road.
Albany Academy is a solid, reliable choice for families in the Chorley area who value a smaller school environment with a strong sense of community. Its Good Ofsted status and consistent GCSE performance make it a safe pair of hands. It best suits students who thrive in a structured, respectful environment and who are looking for a balanced mix of academic and vocational opportunities. The main challenge for parents is the high level of oversubscription.
Yes, Albany Academy is a good school. It has maintained a Good rating from Ofsted since 2013, with the most recent inspection in March 2024 confirming that the school provides a safe and effective learning environment. It ranks 4th locally in Chorley for GCSE outcomes.
Applications must be made through Lancashire County Council's secondary school admissions process. The deadline is 31 October for entry the following September. Because the school is oversubscribed, it is essential to name it as your first preference to have the best chance of securing a place.
No, Albany Academy only provides education for students aged 11 to 16. Most students move on to Runshaw College or Cardinal Newman College for their A levels or vocational qualifications.
Yes, significantly. For the 2026 entry, the school expects to receive over 600 applications for approximately 150 places. This means there are roughly 4 applicants for every place, making it one of the most competitive schools in the local area.
The school achieves a solid national typical performance. In 2024, the average Attainment 8 score was 44.5, placing it in the top 60% of schools in England and making it a top four performer in the Chorley region.
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