Aurora Woodlands School
Aurora Woodlands School is an independent special school in Darwen for pupils aged 10 to 19. It has 64 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Aurora Woodlands School is Good, from an inspection in September 2025.
Ofsted inspection: September 2025.
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 10-19 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Woodlands Holly Tree Close Darwen Lancashire Lancashire BB3 2NG |
| Phone | 01254706600 |
| Reference Number | 138884 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 64 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 85.94%
Girls: 14.06% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 12 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 13 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
Aurora Woodlands School is performing well overall, rated as 'Good' in several key areas, with 'Outstanding' personal development. The school effectively supports pupils, many of whom have faced significant educational barriers prior to enrollment, by providing a calm and structured environment. Notable strengths include the ambitious curriculum, high-quality support for special educational needs, and exceptional personal development provisions, helping students transition successfully into further education or vocational pathways. However, there are concerns regarding inconsistencies in foundational writing skills and teacher subject expertise, which can hinder student achievement.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 15 Jul 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 15 Jul 2025 | Standard inspection: |
| 12 Dec 2022 | Additional inspection |
| 15 Mar 2022 | Standard inspection: |
| 26 Jun 2019 | Additional inspection |
| 03 Oct 2017 | Standard inspection: |
| 24 Sep 2013 | Standard inspection: |
Strengths
- Calm and welcoming school environment
- High expectations and clear routines
- Ambitious and well-organized curriculum
- Exceptional support for mental and physical well-being
- Strong focus on developing secure reading knowledge
- High-quality work experience opportunities
- Effective governance and oversight
Areas for Improvement
- Pupils' written work lacks clarity and coherence
- Inconsistencies in teachers' subject knowledge impact pupil preparedness
In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Aurora Woodlands School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).
Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.
| Name | Distance |
|
Ashleigh Primary School
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0.14 miles |
|
Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy
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|
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen
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|
Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School
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|
Turncroft Nursery School
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|
Holy Trinity VC School
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1.06 miles |
|
Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary
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1.23 miles |
|
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy
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1.52 miles |
|
Avondale Primary School
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|
Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School
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1.84 miles |
|
St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School
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2 miles |
|
St Edward's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
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2.29 miles |
|
St Stephen's Tockholes CofE Primary School
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2.71 miles |
|
Lower Darwen Primary School
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2.75 miles |
|
Belthorn Academy Primary School
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2.97 miles |
|
Turton Belmont Community Primary School
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3 miles |
|
St James' Church of England Primary School
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3.05 miles |
|
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn
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3.25 miles |
|
Blackburn the Redeemer CofE Primary
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3.27 miles |
|
Egerton Community Primary School
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3.3 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
Sudell Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 3HD |
0.99 miles |
|
Aldridge UTC Darwen
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1.18 miles |
|
Crosshill Special School
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1.75 miles |
|
Darwen Vale High School
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2.46 miles |
|
Lower Pastures
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2.5 miles |
|
Eden School
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3.24 miles |
|
Markazul Uloom
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3.82 miles |
|
Noorul Uloom
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3.82 miles |
|
St Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn
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3.91 miles |
|
Newfield School
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3.96 miles |
|
Blackburn Central High School
Haslingden Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 3HJ |
4.08 miles |
|
Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
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4.3 miles |
|
Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School
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4.43 miles |
|
Al Islah Girls' High School
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4.46 miles |
|
St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy
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4.51 miles |
|
Witton Park Academy
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4.7 miles |
|
Meadow View Learning Centre
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4.78 miles |
|
Blackburn College
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4.83 miles |
All schools in Darwen · Blackburn with Darwen local authority: places and applications
What is Aurora Woodlands School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Aurora Woodlands School is Good, from an inspection in September 2025.
When was Aurora Woodlands School last inspected by Ofsted?
Aurora Woodlands School was last inspected in September 2025.
How many pupils does Aurora Woodlands School have?
Aurora Woodlands School has 64 pupils on roll.
What age range does Aurora Woodlands School cover?
Aurora Woodlands School for pupils aged 10 to 19.
Where is Aurora Woodlands School?
Aurora Woodlands School is at Woodlands, Holly Tree Close, Darwen, Lancashire, Lancashire, BB3 2NG.