Classpot

Witton Park Academy

Blackburn with Darwen, BB2 6TDSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
May 2026
Progress 8
-0.70
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
0.5×
Not oversubscribed
101 1st-choice / 221 places
Ranking
#2,848
of 3,141 nationally

About Witton Park Academy

Witton Park Academy is a heavily oversubscribed secondary school in Blackburn with Darwen, with 435 applications for 221 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.97. Of those, 101 families put it as their first preference, and all of those received offers. The school does not publish a parent-view recommendation score, but the sheer volume of applications suggests strong local demand. It is a state-funded, mixed, non-religious school for pupils aged 11 to 16, with no sixth form. The headteacher is Martin Knowles, and the school currently holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across its two most recent inspections, including an ungraded visit in 2021 that confirmed it remains Good.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressBuncer Lane, Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen, BB2 6TD
HeadteacherMartin Knowles
Local AuthorityBlackburn with Darwen
Number of Pupils1,312
Free School Meals (FSM)35.7%
School Capacity1,312 / 1,230 (107% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

4 Nov 2021
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Latest monitoring visit (4 Nov 2021): School remains Good

Source: Ofsted, 14 Oct 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

12
Sports HallTennis CourtsGymnasiumDining HallPlaying FieldsICT SuiteLibrarySwimming PoolAstro TurfSixth Form CentreTheatreChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

15

Sports

FootballHockeyCross CountrySwimmingRugbyAthleticsMartial Arts

Clubs & Activities

CodingGardeningFilm ClubDramaOrchestraScience ClubNewspaperModel United Nations

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning Difficulty

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Witton Park Academy

Witton Park Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.