St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy
91%
Capacity
1,489
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy
St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Blackburn with Darwen community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,489 pupils on roll and is well-filled (91% of 1,630 places).
Ofsted has rated St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Victoria Michael, it falls under Blackburn with Darwen local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.19 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 50.5. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1093rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 10 in Blackburn with Darwen.
St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 783 applications for 257 places, making it 3.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 279 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, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy include Sixth Form Centre, Swimming Pool, Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Playing Fields, Theatre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Athletics, Gymnastics, Hockey and 3 more, as well as clubs including Gardening, Film Club, Drama, Book Club and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 21.4%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Blackburn with Darwen, St Wilfrid's Church of England 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 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Duckworth Street, Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen, BB2 2JR |
| Headteacher | Victoria Michael |
| Local Authority | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Number of Pupils | 1,489 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 21.4% |
| School Capacity | 1,489 / 1,630 (91% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Jan 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (11 Jan 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 3 Dec 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.19)
1093rd of 3,141
Nationally
113th of 445
In North West
3rd of 10
In Blackburn with Darwen
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
39.8
'22/23
29.5
'23/24
32.4
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed257
783
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
279 families put this school as their 1st choice (36% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Wilfrid's Church of England 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
Duckworth Street, Blackburn
Blackburn with Darwen, BB2 2JR
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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