Best Schools in Blackburn with Darwen 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 74 schools and nurseries in Blackburn with Darwen — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Blackburn with Darwen is a unitary authority in Lancashire with 74 schools. The borough has a diverse school landscape with a significant number of faith schools. Several schools have been recognised nationally for their work in narrowing attainment gaps.
Blackburn with Darwen at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Blackburn with Darwen
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Olive School, Blackburn | Blackburn with Darwen | Outstanding | 95% | — | — |
| Blackburn the Redeemer CofE Primary | Blackburn with Darwen | Outstanding | 81% | — | — |
| St Gabriel's Church of England Primary School | Blackburn with Darwen | Good | 81% | — | — |
| Lammack Primary School | Blackburn with Darwen | Good | 80% | — | — |
| Audley Junior School | Blackburn with Darwen | Good | 78% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Blackburn with Darwen
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School | Blackburn with Darwen | Outstanding | +2.05 | 94% | 97% |
| Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School | Blackburn with Darwen | Outstanding | +1.26 | 93% | 98% |
| St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy | Blackburn with Darwen | Good | +0.19 | 74% | 52% |
| Pleckgate High School | Blackburn with Darwen | Outstanding | -0.01 | 62% | 49% |
| Blackburn Central High School | Blackburn with Darwen | Good | -0.20 | 58% | 54% |
Admissions in Blackburn with Darwen — Key Dates
Blackburn with Darwen Council coordinates admissions. The borough has a mix of faith and community schools. Admission criteria vary between schools but distance is common for community schools.
Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best schools in Blackburn?
Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School and Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School are among the highest-performing schools nationally. Pleckgate High School and St Wilfrid's CE Academy also achieve strong results.
How many schools are in Blackburn with Darwen?
The borough has 74 schools covering primary, secondary and special education across Blackburn and Darwen.
Are Blackburn schools improving?
Yes. Several Blackburn schools have achieved national recognition for outstanding progress. The Star Academies trust has been particularly successful, with its schools ranking among the top in England for pupil progress.
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