Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 20 May 2025
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
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 | 36.5 | 45.4 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
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 | 24% | 44% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 50% | 63% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 45% | 59% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
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 | 17% | 39% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 191 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy'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.
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is in Blackburn with Darwen council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years. For a Year 7 place, apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6.
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,065
- Capacity
- 1,600
- Girls / boys
- 46% / 54%
- Free school meals
- 33%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55.2
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 15.3
- Leadership (FTE)
- 8
- Part-time teachers
- 12%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
75%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
87 responses up to 1 September 2025 · 8% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
76% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
85% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
69% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
50% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
70% agree
Questions about Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
What is Darwen Aldridge Community Academy's Ofsted rating?
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy's last overall grade from Ofsted was Requires Improvement, on 14 December 2022. Ofsted inspected it again on 20 May 2025 without giving an overall grade, as single-word grades ended in September 2024.
How do I apply for a place at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day.
What is the catchment area for Darwen Aldridge Community Academy?
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy'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.
How many pupils are at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy?
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy had 1,065 pupils aged 11 to 19 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,600. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
Nearby secondary schools
Aldridge UTC Darwen
Studio schools
0.4 miles away
Darwen Vale High School
Academy sponsor led
1.5 miles away
Blackburn Central High School
Academy converter
3.1 miles away
St Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn
Voluntary aided school
3.2 miles away
Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
Academy sponsor led
3.3 miles away