Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 20 January 2026
Compared with the local authority and England
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 34.7 | 45.4 | 46.1 |
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 28% | 44% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 49% | 63% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 39% | 59% | 60% |
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 0% | 39% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 2.5 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 69 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Aldridge UTC Darwen's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
Aldridge UTC Darwen is in Blackburn with Darwen council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years.
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
Ofsted changed the Parent View questions in November 2025, so some questions differ between years.
95%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
89%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
38 responses up to 7 September 2026 · 14% response rate
My child is happy at this school.
89% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
87% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
82% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
57% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
86% agreeOfsted inspected Aldridge UTC Darwen on 20 January 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Strong standard for inclusion; Expected standard for achievement, for curriculum and teaching, for leadership and governance, for personal development and wellbeing, for post-16 provision and for attendance and behaviour.
Aldridge UTC Darwen's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
Aldridge UTC Darwen had 275 pupils aged 13 to 19 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 300. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.