Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
99%
Capacity
812
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Blackburn with Darwen community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 812 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 821 places).
Ofsted has rated Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Michael Wright, it falls under Blackburn with Darwen local authority.
Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 189 applications for 144 places, making it 1.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 96 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy include Library, Science Labs, Sports Hall, Art Studios, Tennis Courts, Playing Fields, Sixth Form Centre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Badminton, Basketball, Martial Arts, Cricket and 4 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Drama, Choir, Coding and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 44.3%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Blackburn with Darwen, Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary 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 | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | North Road, Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen, BB1 1PY |
| Headteacher | Michael Wright |
| Local Authority | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Number of Pupils | 812 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 44.3% |
| School Capacity | 812 / 821 (99% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
16 May 2023Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Source: Ofsted, 6 Jul 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed144
189
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
96 families put this school as their 1st choice (51% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
North Road, Blackburn
Blackburn with Darwen, BB1 1PY
North Road, Blackburn
Blackburn with Darwen, BB1 1PY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy!
Write a Review