St Anne's Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn
Blackburn, BB2 1LQ · Blackburn with Darwen · primary school
Check the area around this school
40th 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 — 4.4/10 against 1,175 of them, against 3.4/10 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 | 59.0 · 37 | 40% | 1.47 |
| Ofsted | 8 | 35% | 0.27 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Anne's Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 59.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in School Council and Sports Leaders clubs, and attend trips to the Children's Literature Festival, Waterstones Y6 and the Navy.
Getting in
The published school roll is 214 pupils against a stated capacity of 230. 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 support is available for those aiming for the higher standard? How does the new inspection framework affect day-to-day teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about St Anne's Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils feel a strong sense of belonging and behave well in a calm, orderly environment. While the curriculum is well-ordered and leaders have improved early years provision, there are significant inconsistencies in how staff support individual learning, particularly regarding writing skills.
Strengths
- Pupils are "well mannered and polite" and demonstrate "positive attitudes to learning."
- Leaders have created an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility."
- The early years curriculum gives children a "secure start" with high-quality stories and phonics.
- Staff effectively support disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs to learn alongside peers.
- Governors "support and challenge the school well," ensuring statutory duties are met.
Areas to improve
- Staff must adapt teaching more effectively to ensure all pupils, including those with gaps in knowledge, can learn as well as they could.
- Leaders should help staff use checks on learning more precisely to identify and address misconceptions.
- Approaches to raising attainment in writing must improve pupils’ foundational knowledge of grammar, spelling, and handwriting quality.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 52% |
| 2023/24 | 57% |
| 2024/25 | 59% |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of BB2 1LQ, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT