Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School Review 2026: Strong Results, Safeguarding Concerns

Edwardian red-brick buildings sit high in the Pennines above Rossendale, their foundations laid in 1911 by the mayors of Bacup and Rawtenstall themselves. This state grammar school, founded across two communities over a century ago, has built a reputation for rigorous academics and genuine selective excellence. The Attainment 8 score of 72 places results firmly in the top tier nationally, with over 80% of students achieving grades 5 and above across the English Baccalaureate. Yet this is a school facing profound challenges. Rated Inadequate by Ofsted in 2022 following serious safeguarding concerns, BRGS is working through a period of significant reform under new leadership and within the Star Academies trust. For families considering this school, the academic case is strong; the pastoral and safeguarding context demands very careful evaluation.

The school sits prominently on Glen Road in Waterfoot, elevated above the valley it serves. The original Edwardian structure remains at the heart of the campus, with additions spanning nearly a century of growth. The Learning Resource Centre, named teaching wings, and specialist facilities reflect both heritage and contemporary investment. The atmosphere among students observing the school's values — Service, Teamwork, Ambition, and Respect — typically feels purposeful. Sixth form students describe a culture of independence and intellectual challenge.

The leadership structure has undergone significant change. In 2023, the school joined the Star Academies trust following academy status since 2012. The principal now leads a school in transition, implementing the improvements required following the 2022 Ofsted judgment. The trust brings additional governance and external scrutiny, which represents both oversight and resource.

The selective 11+ entrance examination creates a cohort of academically strong students. With approximately 1,260 pupils across Years 7-13, the school operates six form groups of thirty pupils per year in the main school, plus a sixth form of around 200. This mixed-gender intake includes pupils who commute from across the north of England.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 72, substantially above the England average. The English Baccalaureate — a measure combining English, mathematics, sciences, languages, and humanities — saw 83% of students achieving grades 5 or above, well above the England average of 41%. The Progress 8 measure indicates that students make above-average progress from their starting points, despite entering as a highly selective cohort.

The school ranks 176th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 4% of schools nationally — a national high tier position. Locally, within Rossendale, it ranks first among secondary schools. The gap between entry selectivity and outcomes suggests effective teaching and value-added for this cohort.

A-Level Performance

A-level results reflect continued strength. Over 64% of grades achieved A*, A, or B grades. The school ranks 497th in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), sitting in the top 19% nationally — a national strong tier position. The percentage achieving A* grades stands at 13%, and a further 24% achieved A grades. These figures support progression to competitive universities, though Oxbridge entry remains selective.

In 2024, 16 students applied to Oxbridge, with 4 receiving offers and 1 ultimately accepting. One Cambridge place represents approximately 6% of the year group, indicating strong but not exceptional Oxbridge outcomes.

The curriculum extends across twenty-plus GCSE subjects and thirty A-level options, including specialist choices such as Law, Psychology, Sociology, and Economics alongside traditional sciences, humanities, and languages. Teaching structures follow conventional models, with setting in mathematics from Year 9. The school explicitly provides independent learning support and careers guidance designed for post-16 planning.

Drama, music, computer science, and design technology receive dedicated curriculum space. The school runs specialist language teaching in modern foreign languages, offering breadth for linguistically inclined students. Religious studies is compulsory to GCSE, supporting the school's approach to personal development alongside academic learning.

Staff qualifications and subject expertise form the foundation of the school's academic results. The teaching workforce has experienced change in recent years, though the school maintains subject-specialist appointments across all discipline areas. Access to the Learning Resource Centre provides study space and guided research support.

University progression follows the strong academic pipeline created by selective entry and high GCSE/A-level outcomes. Beyond Oxbridge, students secure places at leading universities across the Russell Group and beyond. Specific named destinations are not published on the school website; however, the academic profile suggests typical progression to Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Warwick. Law, medicine, and STEM subjects feature prominently in student subject choices, directing the destination universities.

Sixth form entry requires successful GCSE results and predicted grades meeting subject entry requirements. Approximately 200 students proceed from external sixth form applications each year, drawing from a regional catchment. This mixed intake of internal progressors and external entrants creates sixth form cohorts distinct from the lower school.

The extracurricular programme encompasses sports, music, drama, and academic societies. The Debating Society represents the school's intellectual culture, regularly engaging students in formal debate. The Astronomy Club caters to science enthusiasts with observational and theoretical work. Model UN draws students interested in global affairs and diplomacy. The Japanese Club, language societies, and Modern Foreign Languages enrichment extend learning beyond the curriculum.

Sports provision reflects a long history. Athletic teams compete in football, rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, and tennis. The school maintains mixed swimming teams and a basketball programme. Cross-country running, orienteering, badminton, and table tennis provide additional options. Inter-form and inter-school fixtures create competitive pathways.

Music ensembles include an orchestra, choir, and jazz groups. Drama productions involve significant pupil participation, with recent notable achievements including student involvement in professional theatre touring productions — exemplified by Jett Moises' recent casting in the West End world tour of Les Misérables, performing in Shanghai and beyond. This level of professional opportunity reflects the school's drama provision and student calibre.

The Leadership Specialism programme operates as a distinct pathway, offering enrichment beyond the standard curriculum. Leadership curriculum covers both academic and personal development dimensions. A School Enterprise programme develops entrepreneurial skills and community engagement. The Performing Arts pathway recognises performing arts as both an academic subject and an enrichment area.

Technical clubs mentioned include computer science and engineering options. The school publishes achievement milestones in pupil awards programmes. Duke of Edinburgh Award provision extends to Gold level, with participation across the age range. Community service programmes channel pupil energy into local charitable work, with recent campaigns supporting local charities, particularly through the Winter Gift Programme enabling pupils to support community organisations.

Student council, form councils, and pupil voice structures provide representation in school decisions. Clubs operate at lunchtime and after school. The Performing Arts specialism includes music technology and composition opportunities. The school encourages participation in the full range of provision, though recent inspection notes indicate that engagement across the extracurricular offer remains uneven, with approximately half of pupils taking part.

Entry to Year 7 operates through selective examination rather than the standard eleven-plus. The school administers its own entrance test assessing verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and numerical reasoning. Students must achieve a defined "required standard" to secure a place. Although the Published Admission Number (PAN) is 180, the school does not commit to filling all places if candidates fall below the required standard — a position that reflects genuine selectivity.

In recent years, approximately 400 applications have been submitted for the 171-180 available places, creating a subscription ratio of approximately 2.34 applicants per place. This represents oversubscription and significant competition. The entrance examination tests reasoning skills assessed across standardised papers rather than curriculum knowledge, designed to identify thinking potential.

Priority is given to pupils attending primary schools in Rossendale, though the school does not operate a formal catchment boundary. This means that geographically closer students may benefit from admissions priority, but successful candidates come from across Lancashire and beyond. Historically, the school has attracted students from Liverpool, Bradford, and across the North West.

Open days and information events typically run in June and September. The school's Blue Book guides applicants through the process. Registration for the entrance examination is mandatory, with testing conducted at the school. Results are released in the spring, with offers following. Families should allow significant time for entrance examination preparation.

The school operates a house system providing pastoral care structure. Form tutors oversee pastoral development and attendance monitoring. The Safeguarding & Child Protection policy has undergone substantial revision and strengthening following the 2022 Ofsted judgment. The current framework emphasises early identification of concerns and clear reporting protocols.

A dedicated pupil support team addresses student welfare. Free school meals are available to eligible pupils. The school provides sexual health education and PSHE provision covering relationships, health, and personal development topics. Equality and diversity form stated values within the school's framework.

Mental health support is available through in-school counselling. Partnership with external agencies provides additional layers of support for pupils with identified needs. Attendance support includes formalised processes for addressing absence patterns.

The Inadequate Ofsted rating and safeguarding history. In 2022, Ofsted rated the school Inadequate overall, citing serious concerns regarding bullying, racism, misogyny, harmful sexual behaviour, and homophobia within the pupil culture. While academic standards remained high and extracurricular participation was notable, the report emphasised that welfare had deteriorated significantly. The school was placed under special measures with demands for immediate safeguarding reform. Since this judgment, the school has undergone substantial change including academy trust conversion to Star Academies, revised safeguarding policies, and new leadership. However, families considering this school must actively satisfy themselves regarding current safeguarding culture and implementation of improvements. The school's own safeguarding page on the website should be reviewed alongside the formal Ofsted report.

Competitive entrance examination. With approximately 2.3 applications per place and a required standard threshold, admission is genuinely selective. Families should not assume that a bright child will automatically secure entry; substantial numbers of capable candidates are not offered places. The school's entrance exam tests reasoning rather than curriculum knowledge, but preparation and coaching are standard among applicants.

Grammar school as the only option in Rossendale. This is one of only four remaining grammar schools in Lancashire. For families living in the area without independent school alternatives, securing or not securing a place here has significant consequences for secondary education pathway.

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School presents a significant contradiction. The academic evidence is unambiguous: strong results, effective teaching, and rigorous progression to competitive universities place this among the highest-performing selective state schools in the north. The curriculum breadth and enrichment offer genuine opportunities for engaged learners. Yet the 2022 Inadequate rating for safeguarding and pupil wellbeing represents a serious concern that cannot be overlooked.

The school is actively addressing these issues under new leadership and governance, and the academic trajectory remains positive. For families considering this school, the decision hinges critically on confidence in the safeguarding culture change and pastoral support systems. Those who do enrol receive first-rate academics within a rigorous, selective environment. Best suited to academically able pupils from the Rossendale catchment area whose families have carefully evaluated the safeguarding context and feel confident in the school's current trajectory. Families uncomfortable with the recent history of safeguarding concerns, regardless of academic appeal, should consider alternatives.