Could Garstang Community Academy be the right school for your child?
Choosing a secondary school is a big decision. We want to make it easier. Discover our school, meet our Headteacher, come and see us for yourself and let us help you understand every step of the admissions process.
More than an application. Come and discover our school.
Before you fill in a form, we would much rather you got to know us. Choosing a school is about far more than a prospectus or a website. It is about finding somewhere your child can feel supported, challenged, known and encouraged to become the very best version of themselves.
Discover
Explore what makes Garstang Community Academy distinctive and what life here could look like for your child.
Meet us
Visit the school, meet our staff and students and ask the questions that really matter to your family.
Understand
Let us explain the Lancashire admissions process before you leave our website to complete your application.
Apply
When you are ready, follow our simple step by step guide to completing your Year 7 application.
Welcome to Garstang Community Academy.
We want every child who joins us to achieve their very best, academically and as a well-rounded young person.
At Garstang Community Academy, we combine high standards and high expectations with a culture where students are valued, supported and encouraged.
Our mission, Grow, Care, Achieve, Together, shapes what we do every day. We want young people to grow in confidence, care about themselves and others, achieve their potential and understand the importance of belonging to a community.
But a website can only tell you so much. We would genuinely encourage you to come and see the school, meet our students and staff and experience our community for yourself.
.jpg)
See Garstang Community Academy for yourself.
Choosing a secondary school is a big decision. Come through our doors, meet the people who make our school what it is and get a proper feel for life at Garstang.
What can you expect?
That's absolutely fine. Email info@garstang.fcat.org.uk and we will arrange another mutually convenient time for you to visit.
Take a closer look at our school.
Get a first impression of Garstang Community Academy before you visit. Meet our community and get a feel for the experience we want every student to have.
Grow. Care. Achieve. Together.
Four simple words that describe the kind of school community we want every student to experience.
Grow
Developing confidence, resilience, independence and ambition as well as academic knowledge.
Care
Creating a supportive environment where students feel known, valued and able to ask for help.
Achieve
Setting high expectations and helping every young person work towards their potential.
Together
Students, staff, families and our wider community working together to help young people succeed.
Sometimes you just need to walk through the door.
Our open events are a great introduction. A personal visit gives you another opportunity to look around, talk to us and ask the questions that matter to your family.
We want prospective families to feel welcome. Come and see the school, talk about your child and find out whether Garstang Community Academy feels right for you.
Book a personal meeting with the HeadteacherLet me talk you through the admissions process.
Lancashire County Council manages the formal secondary school application process. It can look a little daunting when you first arrive on the council website, so before you go there, let us explain what you need to do.
You do not have to work it all out on your own.
Watch the video first. Then use our simple steps below. If you still have questions about Garstang Community Academy, come and talk to us.
Book time with the HeadteacherApply by 31 October 2026
Applications received after the deadline are treated as late, so make sure your completed application is submitted to Lancashire County Council by 31 October.
Your application, step by step.
You make your formal application through Lancashire County Council. Here is what to expect before you leave our website.
Explore your options
Get to know the schools you are considering. Look at their ethos, curriculum, pastoral support and opportunities. Most importantly, visit if you can.
View our opportunities to visit GarstangRead the admissions information
Lancashire County Council publishes information about secondary school admissions, school preferences and how places are allocated.
Read the information and the relevant admissions criteria before submitting your preferences.
View Lancashire's secondary school admissions guidanceStart your online application
Follow Lancashire County Council's online admissions process. You will need to provide the information requested about you and your child before entering your school preferences.
Choose your school preferences
Lancashire recommends that families name three different secondary school preferences in priority order.
Think carefully about your choices and make sure you have read the admissions criteria for the schools you are considering.
Check and submit your application
Review the information you have entered carefully and make sure your application is fully submitted.
Receive your school offer
Lancashire County Council will notify families of their secondary school offer on the national offer date. For September 2027 admissions, school offers are issued on 1 March 2027.
Continue with Lancashire County Council.
Applications for children starting Year 7 in September 2027 are now open. The formal admissions process is managed through Lancashire County Council.
We recommend reading Lancashire's guidance before beginning your application. You can then continue into the online application process from the council website.
Visit Lancashire County Council to apply for Year 7Questions about admissions?
Click each question below to open the information.
When do I need to apply? Click to view
For a child starting secondary school in September 2027, Lancashire County Council's application process opened on 1 September 2026.
The closing date is 31 October 2026.
Who manages my Year 7 application? Click to view
Secondary school applications are coordinated through Lancashire County Council.
Garstang Community Academy is very happy to help you understand our school and answer questions about joining us, but the formal Year 7 application is made through the Local Authority process.
View Lancashire's application informationCan I visit Garstang Community Academy? Click to view
Yes. We actively encourage prospective families to come and see us.
Our Open Evening takes place on Thursday 24 September 2026 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm.
Student led tours are also available on Friday 25 September 2026 at 9.15am and 10.15am.
If these dates are not suitable, email info@garstang.fcat.org.uk to arrange another mutually convenient time.
Book a personal meeting with the HeadteacherWhat if I need help with the application? Click to view
Lancashire County Council provides guidance and support for families completing the secondary school admissions process.
You are also very welcome to talk to us if your question is specifically about Garstang Community Academy.
Visit Lancashire's secondary admissions websiteWhat happens if I do not receive the school place I wanted? Click to view
Lancashire County Council provides information about waiting lists and the appeals process if your child is not offered a place at one of your preferred schools.
View Lancashire admissions informationWhat if I need a school place during the year? Click to view
If you are looking for a place during the school year rather than transferring from primary school into Year 7, this is known as an in-year admission.
You can find Garstang Community Academy's in-year admissions documents further down this page.
Admissions policies and documents.
The practical documents matter too. You can find our published admissions information and supporting documents below.
Admissions documents
View our published admissions arrangements, policies and supporting information.
In-year admissions
Looking to join Garstang Community Academy during the school year? View our in-year admissions information and documents below.
Come and see what Garstang could offer your child.
Choosing a secondary school is personal. Websites, results and admissions information all matter, but sometimes the most useful thing you can do is visit.
Meet us. Walk around the school. Talk to our students and staff. Ask questions. Then decide whether Garstang Community Academy feels right for your family.
