Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy
98%
Capacity
205
Pupils
2.9x
Demand
About Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy
Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Blackburn with Darwen community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 205 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (98% of 210 places).
Ofsted has rated Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Rebecca Ham, it falls under Blackburn with Darwen local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, ranked 5158th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 22nd out of 52 in Blackburn with Darwen.
Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 86 applications for 30 places, making it 2.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 34 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy include Forest School, Sensory Room, Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Tennis, Athletics, Gymnastics and 2 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Chess, Gardening.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 9.8%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Blackburn with Darwen, Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Knowlesly Road, Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 2JA |
| Headteacher | Rebecca Ham |
| Local Authority | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Number of Pupils | 205 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 9.8% |
| School Capacity | 205 / 210 (98% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (29 Mar 2023): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 20 Oct 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (67%)
5158th of 13,686
Nationally
750th of 2,065
In North West
22nd of 52
In Blackburn with Darwen
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
67%
Expected Standard
17%
Higher Standard
'22/23
69%
'23/24
67%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed30
86
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
34 families put this school as their 1st choice (40% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Knowlesly Road, Darwen
Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 2JA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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