Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy
73%
Capacity
194
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Blackburn with Darwen community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 194 pupils on roll, operating at 73% capacity. Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Laura Peckson, it falls under Blackburn with Darwen local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 28% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 13346th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 51st out of 52 in Blackburn with Darwen.
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 33 applications for 21 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 21 were first-preference applications.
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is mixed, with 50% recommending the school (16 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy include ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Playing Fields, Forest School, Music Rooms, Dining Hall, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Cross Country, Athletics, Swimming, as well as clubs including Art Club, Eco Club, Gardening, Chess.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 53.2%, which is well above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Blackburn with Darwen, Darwen St James 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 | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | St James Crescent, Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 0EY |
| Headteacher | Laura Peckson |
| Local Authority | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Number of Pupils | 194 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 53.2% |
| School Capacity | 194 / 265 (73% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 Jul 2025Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 15 Sept 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (28%)
13346th of 13,686
Nationally
2005th of 2,065
In North West
51st of 52
In Blackburn with Darwen
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
28%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
19%
'23/24
28%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
16 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
8Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed21
33
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
21 families put this school as their 1st choice (64% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Darwen St James 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
St James Crescent, Darwen
Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 0EY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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