Description

Balshaw's Church of England High School, situated on Church Road in Leyland, England, is a comprehensive secondary school with a longstanding academic and community-oriented tradition, dating back to its establishment in 1782 by Richard Balshaw. The school is registered under the postcode PR25 3AH and is recognized for its distinctive black & white color scheme. Balshaw's maintains a strong connection to the Church of England, affirming its motto, "Non Sibi Sed Aliis" (Not for ourselves but for others), while aiming for excellence.

As a mixed gender school, Balshaw's serves students aged 11 to 16, with an enrollment of approximately 921 pupils. The school has been recognized for its participation in sports, arts, and environmental initiatives. Notably, it hosts Interhouse Sport Competitions and has received awards for its Eco-Schools program. Notable former students include Tisha Merry, an actress, and several other distinguished alumni such as Prof Thomas Hope, Sir John Lawton CBE, and Phil Jones.

Balshaw's has a rich history, having been an 11-plus exam-reliant grammar school until 1972, when it became Balshaw's High School, later partnering with Parklands High School in 1972 to form Runshaw College. The school remained a comprehensive school until 1994 when it converted to becoming a Church of England school. In more recent developments, Balshaw's constructed a 3G Astro multi-sport pitch in 2013 and completed its construction in 2014 before the new intake arrived that year. Ofsted has given the school a recent report, downgrading it to a 'Good' status, published on March 21, 2023. Balshaw's is noteworthy for its participation in county events like Lancashire County Cross Country Championships and its involvement in community dramas such as the MAD Mob production "Gideon".