Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 4 March 2025
Compared with the local authority and England
The share of pupils reaching the standard expected for their age, and the share going beyond it.
| Measure | School | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing & maths — expected | 98% | 63% | 63% |
| Reading, writing & maths — higher | 24% | 6% | 8% |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling — expected | 98% | 77% | 73% |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling — higher | 62% | 33% | 30% |
A score of 100 is the expected standard; 110 or more is a higher standard.
| Subject | School | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 111 | 105 | 106 |
| Maths | 113 | 105 | 105 |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling | 111 | 106 | 105 |
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
95%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
171 responses up to 1 September 2025 · 27% response rate
My child is happy at this school.
98% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
98% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
98% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
62% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
95% agreeThe Olive School, Blackburn's last overall grade from Ofsted was Outstanding, on 2 June 2015. Ofsted inspected it again on 4 March 2025 without giving an overall grade, as single-word grades ended in September 2024.
Apply through the council where you live by 15 January for a Reception place starting that September. Children start Reception in the September after their fourth birthday. You can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference, and offers are sent on 16 April, or the next working day. As a Muslim school it may also ask for a supplementary form, and its admissions policy says whether it does.
No. Distance only counts when The Olive School, Blackburn has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. As a Muslim school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
The Olive School, Blackburn had 638 pupils aged 4 to 11 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 630. It is a mixed school.
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