Overall Oxbridge
#554
5 ranked schools · +360 places vs Eng avg #914 of 1,974
Applications
91
Offers
15
Offer rate16.5%
-5.9 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 22.4%
Schools in Preston
Once Lancashire's textile powerhouse, Preston built its identity around mills and manufacturing from the 13th century onwards, with Flemish weavers settling in the 14th century to help develop an industry that would sustain the area for centuries. The city was granted a Guild Merchant charter in 1179, giving it market-town status, before eventually earning city designation in 2002 as England's 50th city.
Ashton-on-Ribble stands among the most sought-after pockets for primary catchments within the city, with Broughton and Hutton extending the school-competitive belt through Preston's residential areas; Fulwood and Penwortham similarly draw families seeking school places. Situated on the north bank of the River Ribble in Lancashire, Preston now hosts around 148,000 residents and anchors a wider regional built-up area exceeding 300,000 people. The city remains a significant regional hub. Preston railway station connects the area onward to Manchester and Liverpool.
123
Primary
schools
25
Secondary
schools
1
All-through
schools
4
Post-16
colleges
24
Special
schools
3
Other
schools
of which13sixth forms·91faith·1nurseries181 total
Area Performance
Preston schools rank in the top 53% of England
Across 160 primary, secondary and sixth-form schools, state and independent. The average Find My School Inspection Score is 7.12/10, -0.27 vs England.
Find My School Inspection Band
15% Elite
Distribution across all Preston schools
EliteExcellentGoodDevelopingRebuilding
Preston vs England distribution
National Rank
Top 53%
Across all ranked Preston schools
Top 52%Primaryavg #7,758 of 14,825
Top 56%Secondaryavg #2,123 of 3,810
Top 55%Sixth formavg #1,385 of 2,525
Primary schools: 121 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.1/10
-0.29 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#7,758
-2 pts vs medianmedian 7,413
top 52% of 14,825
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
63%
+1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
8%
0 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.1/10
-0.29 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#7,758
-2 pts vs medianmedian 7,413
top 52% of 14,825
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
63%
+1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
8%
0 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Secondary schools: 26 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.3/10
-0.10 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#2,123
-6 pts vs medianmedian 1,905
top 56% of 3,810
Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
47.0
+7.9 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.3/10
-0.10 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#2,123
-6 pts vs medianmedian 1,905
top 56% of 3,810
Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
47.0
+7.9 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1
Sixth form schools: 13 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.3/10
-0.41 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.7/10
Average national rank
#1,385
-5 pts vs medianmedian 1,263
top 55% of 2,525
% A*-A at A-Level
26%
+1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 25%
% A*-B at A-Level
54%
+3 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 50%
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.3/10
-0.41 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.7/10
Average national rank
#1,385
-5 pts vs medianmedian 1,263
top 55% of 2,525
% A*-A at A-Level
26%
+1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 25%
% A*-B at A-Level
54%
+3 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 50%
Oxford
#193
1 ranked schools · +60 places vs Eng avg #253 of 1,193
Applications
50
Offers
4
Offer rate8.0%
-7.1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 15.1%
Cambridge
#553
5 ranked schools · +220 places vs Eng avg #773 of 1,871
Applications
41
Offers
11
Offer rate26.8%
-2.6 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 29.4%
Top 3 Primary Schools
2026
Preston town
Top 3 Secondary Schools
2026
Preston town
Top 3 Sixth Forms
2026
Preston town
Local directory
School profiles in Preston
Browse 40 local profile links across primary schools in preston town, secondary schools in preston town and sixth forms in preston town. Each profile brings together admissions context, performance data, inspection history and school details in one place.
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