The Farnley Academy became a part of GORSE in January 2012. This was the first sponsorship of any school by The Morley Academy and was the central reason for the establishment of GORSE. Our first involvement with what was then Farnley Park High School came in the summer of 2009 as a result of the tragic and unexpected death of the Headteacher. Unfortunately the school was also in exceptionally difficult circumstances regarding the performance of students which placed it in 2009 and 2010 as amongst the very worst in the country at Key Stages 4 and 5.

In 2010 the school was rightly judged by Ofsted to be Inadequate; in 2013 it was judged to be Outstanding and we are proud to have played such an important part in the transformation of a school which was previously failing its community to one of which its community can be rightly proud.

The Farnley Academy continues to perform exceptionally well regarding examination outcomes with attainment and progress data which are in keeping with the very best schools in the country.

Having lost its Outstanding status in October 2019, The Farnley Academy resecured its Outstanding status at the beginning of the autumn term. This was a moment of great importance for the whole of the Farnley community with the school confirmed by OFSTED as being truly ‘aspirational and visionary’.