St James' Church of England Primary School
91%
Capacity
191
Pupils
2.6x
Demand
About St James' Church of England Primary School
St James' Church of England 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 191 pupils on roll and is well-filled (91% of 210 places).
Ofsted has rated St James' Church of England Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Melissa Tindall, it falls under Blackburn with Darwen local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 50% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 10525th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 37th out of 52 in Blackburn with Darwen.
St James' Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 74 applications for 28 places, making it 2.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 25 were first-preference applications.
St James' Church of England Primary School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is overwhelmingly positive, with 96% recommending the school (24 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 4 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 1 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James' Church of England Primary School include Music Rooms, Outdoor Playground, Dining Hall, ICT Suite, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rounders, Tennis, Swimming, Cricket and 1 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Film Club, Art Club, Book Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 25.1%, which is close to the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Blackburn with Darwen, St James' Church of England 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 | Off Stopes Brow, Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 0QP |
| Headteacher | Melissa Tindall |
| Local Authority | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Number of Pupils | 191 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 25.1% |
| School Capacity | 191 / 210 (91% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Oct 2024Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 8 Dec 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (50%)
10525th of 13,686
Nationally
1546th of 2,065
In North West
37th of 52
In Blackburn with Darwen
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
50%
Expected Standard
7%
Higher Standard
'22/23
52%
'23/24
50%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
24 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
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed28
74
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
25 families put this school as their 1st choice (34% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James' Church of England 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
Off Stopes Brow, Darwen
Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 0QP
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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