St Alban's Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn
Blackburn, BB1 5BN · Blackburn with Darwen · primary school
Check the area around this school
34th 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.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.8/10 against 1,401 of them, against 3.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 62.0 · 44 | 62% | 2.68 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 38% | 1.13 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Alban's Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 62% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 3% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 154 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 available in the after-school club?
What Ofsted said about St Alban's Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn
Overview
St Alban’s is described as a "warm and friendly school" where pupils feel "happy, safe and well cared for" due to secure relationships with nurturing staff. The report highlights that the school has strengthened its curriculum since the previous inspection, enabling pupils to achieve increasingly well, with high expectations for all learners including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Strengths
- Pupils are "kind and courteous" and take pride in their diverse community, engaging in charitable activities such as litter-picking and fundraising.
- Staff possess "secure subject and pedagogical knowledge," presenting information clearly and designing activities that help pupils learn intended knowledge effectively.
- Reading is a clear priority; staff deliver the phonics programme with skill, providing targeted support so that "increasingly, more pupils are becoming confident, fluent readers."
- The needs of pupils new to English and those with SEND are "swiftly identified and effectively met," with appropriate adaptations to curriculum delivery.
- Governors provide "effective challenge and support," holding the school to account for improvements since the last inspection.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure assessment strategies are used "consistently and effectively in all subjects" to identify gaps in learning, as current practices in some areas are not effective enough to inform future teaching.
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 | 45% |
| 2023/24 | 45% |
| 2024/25 | 62% |
| 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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