St Barnabas and St Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
100%
Capacity
421
Pupils
2.1x
Demand
About St Barnabas and St Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
St Barnabas and St Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 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 421 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (100% of 420 places).
Ofsted has rated St Barnabas and St Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Debbie Withey, it falls under Blackburn with Darwen local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 73% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 3106th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 11th out of 52 in Blackburn with Darwen.
St Barnabas and St Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 124 applications for 60 places, making it 2.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 59 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 St Barnabas and St Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School include Library, ICT Suite, Art Studios, Dining Hall, Playing Fields, Sports Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cricket, Rounders, Netball, Football and 2 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Eco Club, Coding.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 30.6%, which is above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Blackburn with Darwen, St Barnabas and St Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 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 | Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen, BB2 1SN |
| Headteacher | Debbie Withey |
| Local Authority | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Number of Pupils | 421 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 30.6% |
| School Capacity | 421 / 420 (100% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Jul 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 24 Sept 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (73%)
3106th of 13,686
Nationally
443rd of 2,065
In North West
11th of 52
In Blackburn with Darwen
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
73%
Expected Standard
5%
Higher Standard
'22/23
63%
'23/24
73%
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
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed60
124
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
59 families put this school as their 1st choice (48% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Barnabas and St Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
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
Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn
Blackburn with Darwen, BB2 1SN
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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