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A word search hiding Darwen and its nearest neighbours

Schools in Darwen

Darwen has 19 schools: 15 primary and 4 secondary or all-through. 56% of the 18 schools with an Ofsted grade are rated Good or better (Strong standard or better under the new report cards). Among secondary schools, Darwen Vale High School has the highest Attainment 8 score (39.0 in 2026). Among primary schools, Avondale Primary School has the highest share of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (72% in 2025).

  • 20 schools
  • 4 secondary
  • 15 primary

Darwen is in Blackburn with Darwen local authority. See its school places, applications and offers.

Secondary Schools in Darwen

Ranked by Attainment 8, the average GCSE score per pupil. Progress 8 is from the latest year published.

#SchoolOfstedAttainment 8Progress 8Pupils
1 Darwen Vale High School Good 39.0 (2026) -0.29 (2024) 1,039
2 Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Requires Improvement 36.8 (2026) -0.77 (2024) 1,036
3 Aldridge UTC Darwen Expected standard 31.7 (2026) -0.82 (2024) 275
4 Crosshill Special School Good – – 183

Primary Schools in Darwen

Ranked by the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of Year 6.

#SchoolOfstedMet expected standardPupils
1 Avondale Primary School Good 72% (2025) 400
2 St Edward's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Good 70% (2025) 198
3 St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen Good 70% (2025) 165
4 Ashleigh Primary School Good 66% (2025) 220
5 Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy Good 65% (2025) 207
6 Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary Needs attention 64% (2025) 167
7 Holy Trinity VC School Requires Improvement 62% (2025) 119
8 St James' Church of England Primary School Good 50% (2025) 202
9 Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School Expected standard 43% (2025) 240
10 Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School Outstanding 41% (2025) 237
11 Lower Darwen Primary School Good 41% (2025) 382
12 St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School Needs attention 38% (2025) 184
13 Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy Requires Improvement 37% (2025) 203
14 St Stephen's Tockholes CofE Primary School Needs attention 10% (2025) 56
15 Turncroft Nursery School – – 58

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