Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
Blackburn, BB1 1PY · Blackburn with Darwen · secondary school
Check the area around this school
11th of 12 secondary schools in Blackburn with Darwen we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 1.4/10 against 392 of them, against 0.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 24.7 · 8 | 45% | 0.34 |
| Ofsted | 5 | 40% | 0.22 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.6 · 8 | 15% | 0.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 22.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in May 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 770 pupils against a stated capacity of 821. 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 in raising their Attainment 8 scores towards the national median? What specific actions are being taken to address the areas highlighted in the 2023 inspection?
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 37.2 |
| 2025/26 | 36.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking.
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of BB1 1PY, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT