Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School
DARWEN, BB3 2BW · Blackburn with Darwen · primary school
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38th 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 — 3.5/10 against 2,001 of them, against 3.2/10 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 | 43.0 · 11 | 40% | 0.42 |
| Ofsted | 13 | 35% | 0.45 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 25% | 1.65 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 10.0% against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.2 out of 10 against all schools). The most recent inspection was in May 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Lego therapy, transition clubs, nature sessions, ball games, and creative projects. Both a breakfast club and an after-school club are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 240 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the nature sessions? How does the transition club help children move between key stages?
What Ofsted said about Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School
Overview
Darwen St Peter’s Church of England Primary School provides a high-quality education where pupils feel safe, valued, and proud of their community. The report highlights “strong” standards in inclusion and personal development, with leaders effectively supporting pupils with additional needs and enriching their experiences through imaginative outdoor learning. While attainment and behaviour meet the “expected standard,” the school is praised for its nurturing environment and proactive leadership.
Strengths
- Leaders are “highly skilled” at identifying and supporting pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they “access the curriculum successfully.”
- An “extensive and highly effective programme” for personal development equips pupils with deep knowledge of relationships, online safety, and British values.
- Pupils enjoy “imaginative outdoor learning opportunities” that enhance self-esteem and address barriers to wellbeing.
- Staff foster positive relationships, creating a “calm environment” where pupils behave well and treat each other with respect.
- Governors and leaders are “proactive in prioritising what they want to improve,” with actions successfully raising expectations for attendance and achievement.
Areas to improve
- Teachers should “identify and address common basic errors more consistently” in pupils’ written work, particularly regarding punctuation and spelling.
- Leaders should better analyse behaviour incidents to “identify patterns and trends” and further reduce misbehaviour over time.
- In the early years, letter formation and basic spellings are not always “reinforced as well as they could be.”
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns are actively managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 60% |
| 2023/24 | 63% |
| 2024/25 | 43% |
| 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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