St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen
77%
Capacity
161
Pupils
2.7x
Demand
About St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Blackburn with Darwen community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 161 pupils on roll, operating at 77% capacity.
Ofsted has rated St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen "Good", the school is led by headteacher Leanne Brown, it falls under Blackburn with Darwen local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 40% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 12486th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 44th out of 52 in Blackburn with Darwen.
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen is a popular choice with families — it received 51 applications for 19 places, making it 2.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 18 were first-preference applications.
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is overwhelmingly positive, with 100% recommending the school (22 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 St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen include Art Studios, Playing Fields, Gymnasium, Outdoor Playground, Sports Hall, Sensory Room, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Football, Cricket, Rounders and 2 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Choir, Science Club, Coding and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 14.9%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Blackburn with Darwen, St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen 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 | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Limes Avenue, DARWEN, Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 2SG |
| Headteacher | Leanne Brown |
| Local Authority | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Number of Pupils | 161 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 14.9% |
| School Capacity | 161 / 210 (77% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Jan 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (15 Jan 2025): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 9 Nov 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (40%)
12486th of 13,686
Nationally
1852nd of 2,065
In North West
44th of 52
In Blackburn with Darwen
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
40%
Expected Standard
5%
Higher Standard
'22/23
48%
'23/24
40%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
22 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
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed19
51
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
18 families put this school as their 1st choice (35% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen
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
Limes Avenue, DARWEN
Blackburn with Darwen, BB3 2SG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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