Blackburn St Thomas' Church of England Primary School
Blackburn, BB1 1NE · Blackburn with Darwen · primary school
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13th of 51 primary schools in Blackburn with Darwen we can score, 56 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 6.2/10 against 3,495 of them, against 5.9/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 72.0 · 71 | 40% | 2.83 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Blackburn St Thomas' Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 72.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 5.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Jujitsu, Cookery, and Photography clubs. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 464 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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
What specific support is available for pupils who do not reach the expected standard? How are the Jujitsu and Cookery clubs structured for different age groups?
What Ofsted said about Blackburn St Thomas' Church of England Primary School
Overview
Blackburn St Thomas’ Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school, described by the community as ‘the heart of the community’. Pupils thrive in an inclusive environment characterised by warm relationships, high expectations, and a thoughtful curriculum that effectively supports learners, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘thoughtful’ and ‘effective’, carefully designed to consider pupil needs and ensure they are ‘well prepared for the next stages in their education’.
- Teachers are ‘knowledgeable’ and explain new ideas clearly, using assessment to help pupils make ‘secure connections between new and previously learned concepts’.
- Reading is of ‘central importance’, with staff using ‘specialist knowledge’ to ensure the ‘vast majority of pupils achieve well in the phonics screening check’.
- Pupils with SEND are identified accurately and ‘participate fully in the same curriculum and opportunities as their peers’, building confidence and self-esteem.
- Staff morale is high, with staff valuing support for their well-being and workload, and governors sharing the school’s ambition for pupils.
Areas to improve
- The school must strengthen strategies to improve attendance, as a ‘stubbornly high number of pupils miss important learning because they do not attend school regularly enough’.
Safeguarding
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 | 52% |
| 2023/24 | 72% |
| 2024/25 | 72% |
| 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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