Lower Pastures
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 11-16 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Broadhead Road Hoddlesden Nr Darwen BB3 3QP |
| Reference Number | 142531 |
Lower Pastures provides a safe and supportive environment for its pupils, who are primarily disadvantaged with many facing social, emotional, and mental health challenges. The leadership team is dedicated to the personal development and well-being of pupils, leading to improvements in confidence and resilience. The school successfully minimizes barriers to learning, ensuring that pupils settle quickly and receive tailored support. However, there are notable gaps in academic achievement, particularly in reading and writing, and career guidance, as pupils are not as well prepared for their future education and employment as they could be.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 1 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 100%
Girls: 0% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 0% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 100% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Needs attention |
| > Leadership & Governance | Needs attention |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Expected standard |
| > Achievement | Needs attention |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Expected standard |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Needs attention |
| > Inclusion | Expected standard |
| Last Report Date | 10 Feb 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 10 Feb 2026 | Standard inspection |
| 31 Jan 2023 | Standard inspection |
| 13 Nov 2018 | Standard inspection |
| 04 Oct 2016 | Standard inspection |
Strengths
- High standards of safeguarding are met
- Leaders have high expectations for pupils' attendance and behavior
- Pupils develop confidence and resilience during their time at the school
- The school offers effective support for pupils with SEND
- Pupils understand and respect diversity, promoting a harmonious school environment
Areas for Improvement
- Pupils struggle to read fluently and have gaps in phonics knowledge
- Some pupils do not achieve as well as they could academically
- Careers education does not prepare pupils adequately for future choices
- Inconsistent support for teachers in addressing knowledge gaps caused by past attendance
| Name | Distance |
|
Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School
Hoddlesden St Paul's CE Primary School, Bayne Street, Hoddlesden, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 3NH |
1.01 miles |
|
Belthorn Academy Primary School
Belthorn Road, Belthorn, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 2NY |
1.82 miles |
|
Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary
Ellison Fold Terrace, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 3EB |
1.99 miles |
|
Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School
Turncroft Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 2BW |
1.99 miles |
|
Turncroft Nursery School
Highfield Road, Darwen, BB3 2DN |
2.07 miles |
|
Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy
Knowlesly Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 2JA |
2.08 miles |
|
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy
St James Crescent, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0EY |
2.3 miles |
|
Ashleigh Primary School
Ross Street, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 2JT |
2.41 miles |
|
Holy Trinity VC School
Bank Top, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 2RW |
2.51 miles |
|
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen
Limes Avenue, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 2SG |
2.53 miles |
|
Avondale Primary School
Durham Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 1NN |
2.98 miles |
|
St James' Church of England Primary School
Off Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0QP |
3.11 miles |
|
Lower Darwen Primary School
Milking Lane, Lower Darwen, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0RB |
3.12 miles |
|
Helmshore Primary School
Gregory Fold, Helmshore, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 4JW |
3.16 miles |
|
St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School
St Albans Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0HY |
3.24 miles |
|
Green Haworth Church of England Primary School
School House Lane, Green Haworth, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 3SQ |
3.26 miles |
|
St Edward's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
Blackburn Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0AA |
3.28 miles |
|
Oswaldtwistle Hippings Methodist Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Heron Way, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 3BT |
3.29 miles |
|
St Veronica's Roman Catholic Primary School, Helmshore
Raven Avenue, Helmshore, Lancashire, BB4 4EZ |
3.34 miles |
|
St Peter's CofE Primary School
Cartmel Avenue, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 0NW |
3.4 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
Sudell Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 3HD |
2.25 miles |
|
Aurora Woodlands School
Woodlands, Holly Tree Close, Darwen, Lancashire, Lancashire, BB3 2NG |
2.5 miles |
|
Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio
Police Street, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 1AF |
2.58 miles |
|
Darwen Vale High School
Blackburn Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0AL |
2.93 miles |
|
Crosshill Special School
Salisbury Road, Darwen, BB3 1HZ |
3.1 miles |
|
Newfield School
Old Bank Lane, Off Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 2PW |
3.59 miles |
|
Haslingden High School and Sixth Form
Broadway, Haslingden, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 4EY |
3.6 miles |
|
Rhyddings
Haworth Street, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 3EA |
3.68 miles |
|
Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School, Hyndburn
Wordsworth Road, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 0LU |
3.78 miles |
|
The Hollins
Hollins Lane, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 2QY |
3.81 miles |
|
Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
North Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 1PY |
3.82 miles |
|
Tor View School
Clod Lane, Haslingden, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 6LR |
3.92 miles |
|
Maple House School
546-548 Manchester Road, Haslingden, Rossendale, Manchester, BB4 6LN |
3.93 miles |
|
Blackburn Central High School
Haslingden Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 3HJ |
4.04 miles |
|
Markazul Uloom
Park Lee Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 3NY |
4.05 miles |
|
Noorul Uloom
Park Lee Rd, Blackburn, BB2 3NY |
4.05 miles |
|
All Saints' Roman Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy
Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 6SJ |
4.15 miles |
|
Eden School
Heys Lane, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 4NW |
4.18 miles |
|
Al Islah Girls' High School
108 Audley Range, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 1TF |
4.29 miles |
|
The Alternative School
30 St. James Street, ACCRINGTON, Lancashire, BB5 1NT |
4.37 miles |