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Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 3HDSecondaryAges 11–19MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
4 Good · 1 Requires improvement
May 2025
Progress 8
-0.77
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
140 1st-choice / 150 places
Ranking
#2,906
of 3,141 nationally

About Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy sits within the Blackburn with Darwen local authority, where it ranks 9th out of 10 secondary schools on Progress 8, placing it in the bottom 90th percentile locally. The top-performing peers in the area are Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School, Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School, and St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy, all of which post significantly higher Progress 8 scores. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary for pupils aged 11 to 19, with a capacity of 1,600 and currently 1,065 pupils on roll. Over 32% of its students are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2025, the school was not given an overall effectiveness grade, but inspectors rated behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management all as Good, while quality of education remains Requires Improvement. The sixth form provision was also judged Good.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 19 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressSudell Road, Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 3HD
HeadteacherJessica Giraud
Local AuthorityBlackburn with Darwen
Number of Pupils1,065
Free School Meals (FSM)32.8%
School Capacity1,065 / 1,600 (67% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 87 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

20 May 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 9 Jul 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Sports HallICT SuitePlaying FieldsSixth Form CentreScience LabsTheatreSwimming PoolLibraryChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

CricketAthleticsBadmintonHockeyRowingMartial ArtsCross Country

Clubs & Activities

DebateScience ClubBook ClubDuke of EdinburghOrchestraChessChoirDramaModel United NationsArt ClubYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.