Schools in Lancaster: Ofsted Ratings (2026)
167 registered schools in Lancaster, North West. 75% are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Browse the best primary and secondary schools below, then check a specific postcode for catchment distance.
167
Schools total
144 primary · 23 secondary
75%
Good or Outstanding
125 of 167
28
Rated Outstanding
97
Rated Good
Best primary schools in Lancaster
144 primary schools, sorted by Ofsted rating (Outstanding first). Showing the top 25.
| School | Postcode | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Allithwaite CofE Primary School | LA11 7RD | Outstanding |
| Austwick Church of England VA Primary School | LA2 8BN | Outstanding |
| Bolton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School | LA5 8DT | Outstanding |
| Cartmel CofE Primary School | LA11 6PR | Outstanding |
| Cawthorne's Endowed School | LA2 9BQ | Outstanding |
| Dolphinholme Church of England Primary School | LA2 9AN | Outstanding |
| Heysham St Peter's Church of England Primary School | LA3 2RF | Outstanding |
| Leck St Peter's Church of England Primary School | LA6 2JD | Outstanding |
| Lindal and Marton Primary School | LA12 0NB | Outstanding |
| Nether Kellet Community Primary School | LA6 1HH | Outstanding |
| Newbarns Primary and Nursery School | LA13 9ET | Outstanding |
| Old Hutton CofE School | LA8 0NQ | Outstanding |
| Pennington CofE School | LA12 0RR | Outstanding |
| Penny Bridge CofE School | LA12 7RQ | Outstanding |
| Quernmore Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School | LA2 9EL | Outstanding |
| Scotforth St Paul's Church of England Primary and Nursery School | LA1 4SE | Outstanding |
| Selside Endowed CofE Primary School | LA8 9LB | Outstanding |
| Slyne-with-Hest, St Luke's, Church of England Primary School | LA2 6JL | Outstanding |
| St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School, Lancaster | LA1 4HT | Outstanding |
| St Columba's School | LA14 3AD | Outstanding |
| Tatham Fells Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School | LA2 8RA | Outstanding |
| Yarlside Academy | LA13 0LH | Outstanding |
| Ambleside CofE Primary School | LA22 9DH | Good |
| Arkholme Church of England Primary School | LA6 1AU | Good |
| Askam Village School | LA16 7DA | Good |
Best secondary schools in Lancaster
23 secondary schools, sorted by Ofsted rating. Showing the top 23.
| School | Postcode | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Cartmel Priory CofE School | LA11 7SA | Outstanding |
| Lancaster Girls' Grammar School | LA1 1SF | Outstanding |
| Lancaster Royal Grammar School | LA1 3EF | Outstanding |
| Queen Elizabeth School | LA6 2HJ | Outstanding |
| Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy | LA1 4RS | Outstanding |
| Ulverston Victoria High School | LA12 0EB | Outstanding |
| Carnforth High School | LA5 9LS | Good |
| Dallam School | LA7 7DD | Good |
| Dowdales School | LA15 8AH | Good |
| Furness Academy | LA13 9BB | Good |
| John Ruskin School | LA21 8EW | Good |
| Kirkbie Kendal School | LA9 7EQ | Good |
| Lancaster High School | LA1 3LS | Good |
| Settlebeck School | LA10 5AL | Good |
| St Bernards Catholic High School, Barrow | LA13 9LE | Good |
| Millom School | LA18 5AB | Requires improvement |
| Our Lady's Catholic College | LA1 2RX | Requires improvement |
| The Lakes School | LA23 1HW | Requires improvement |
| The Queen Katherine School | LA9 6PJ | Requires improvement |
| Walney School | LA14 3JT | Requires improvement |
| Bay Leadership Academy | LA3 1AB | Inadequate |
| Morecambe Bay Academy | LA4 5BG | Inadequate |
| Queen Elizabeth Studio School | LA6 2HJ | Not yet rated |
Check schools near a specific Lancaster address
Ofsted ratings tell you which schools are strong, but admission depends on distance. A PostcodeCheck area report lists every school near your exact postcode with its rating, type, and distance, plus crime, flood, broadband, and house-price data.
Schools in Lancaster: FAQ
How many schools are there in Lancaster?
There are 167 registered schools in Lancaster on the latest Ofsted/GIAS data — 144 primary, 23 secondary, and the remainder all-through, special, or 16+ providers. Of these, 75% are rated Good or Outstanding.
What is the best-rated school in Lancaster?
28 schools are rated Outstanding by Ofsted in Lancaster, and 97 more are rated Good. Outstanding schools are often oversubscribed, so proximity (your postcode's distance to the school) usually determines whether you can get a place.
How do I check school catchment for a Lancaster postcode?
Catchment depends on the exact address. Enter any Lancaster postcode into PostcodeCheck and the area report lists every school near that postcode, its Ofsted rating, type, and distance — the data admissions teams use to decide places.
Does living near a good school in Lancaster affect house prices?
Yes. Homes inside the effective catchment of an Outstanding or Good school typically command a 5-15% premium. The effect is strongest for primary schools, where catchment areas are smaller and admissions are tightly distance-based.