St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn
91%
Capacity
436
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn
St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Blackburn with Darwen community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 436 pupils on roll and is well-filled (91% of 480 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn "Good", the school is led by headteacher Doug Stitcher, it falls under Blackburn with Darwen local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 52% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 10249th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 36th out of 52 in Blackburn with Darwen.
St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn is a popular choice with families — it received 105 applications for 38 places, making it 2.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 36 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn include Library, Dining Hall, Forest School, Playing Fields, Sensory Room, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Rounders, Tennis, Cricket and 3 more, as well as clubs including Film Club, Art Club, Gardening, Book Club and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 18.5%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Blackburn with Darwen, St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn 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 | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Earl Street, Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen, BB1 8EG |
| Headteacher | Doug Stitcher |
| Local Authority | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Number of Pupils | 436 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 18.5% |
| School Capacity | 436 / 480 (91% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
7 Dec 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (7 Dec 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 15 May 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (52%)
10249th of 13,686
Nationally
1492nd of 2,065
In North West
36th of 52
In Blackburn with Darwen
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
52%
Expected Standard
7%
Higher Standard
'22/23
59%
'23/24
52%
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
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed38
105
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
36 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 Blackburn
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
Earl Street, Blackburn
Blackburn with Darwen, BB1 8EG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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