Balderstone St Leonard's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Blackburn, BB2 7LL · Lancashire · primary school
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52nd of 448 primary schools in Lancashire we can score, 481 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 2,795 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.6/10 among them, against 8.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 79.0 · 86 | 40% | 3.43 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 14.0 · 81 | 25% | 2.03 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Balderstone St Leonard's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 79.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 14.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.6 out of 10 among them, against 8.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in a School Council, sports including Nerf, Dodgeball, and Archery, and craft activities. Both a breakfast club and an after-school club are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 106 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school manage the current over-capacity situation for new entrants? What specific support is provided for pupils aiming for the higher standard in literacy? How are the breakfast and after-school clubs structured to support daily routines?
What Ofsted said about Balderstone St Leonard's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Overview
Balderstone St Leonard’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is described as a “friendly and close-knit learning community” where pupils feel “safe and happy.” The inspection confirms that the school continues to be good, with pupils achieving well across the curriculum and demonstrating high standards of behaviour.
Strengths
- Teachers possess “strong subject knowledge” and explain concepts with “clarity and confidence,” often bringing learning to life through local walks.
- The school has a “clear and effective reading programme” where staff deliver phonics consistently well and support pupils who find reading difficult to “catch up quickly.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive tailored support, ensuring they learn the “same ambitious curriculum as their peers.”
- Staff establish “clear and consistent routines,” resulting in rare disruption and pupils who are “kind to each other.”
- The school communicates effectively with parents, providing information sessions to help them support learning at home.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, staff do not identify pupils’ gaps in knowledge as quickly as they should, hindering some pupils from learning as deeply as they could. The school should ensure staff use assessment strategies successfully to address these gaps.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 71% |
| 2023/24 | 77% |
| 2024/25 | 79% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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