St James' Church of England Primary School
Darwen, BB3 0QP · Blackburn with Darwen · primary school
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39th 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 — 2.2/10 against 2,737 of them, against 2.5/10 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 | 50.0 · 19 | 62% | 1.17 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 38% | 1.36 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St James' Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 4.0% reached the higher standard, 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 (2.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
A breakfast club is available for pupils.
Getting in
The published school roll is 202 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 strategies are used to help students reach the higher standard?
What Ofsted said about St James' Church of England Primary School
Overview
Pupils describe the school as a “happy and safe place” where their well-being is central to all activities. The report highlights a “caring and friendly” environment where pupils behave well and strive to meet high expectations for personal and academic achievement. Leaders and governors effectively support staff well-being and hold leaders to account across all aspects of the school’s work.
Strengths
- Pupils access a “rich and engaging curriculum” and achieve well across a broad range of subjects.
- Staff identify and meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities “well”, providing effective, individualised support.
- The school fosters a “love of reading”, ensuring pupils develop fluency through a strong phonics programme and daily opportunities to hear teachers read.
- Pupils are “enthusiastic and confident learners” who take pride in their work and contribute keenly in lessons.
- The school takes “effective action to improve pupils’ rates of attendance” and builds positive relationships with parents from the start.
Areas to improve
- In some areas of the early years curriculum, knowledge is not identified precisely enough, making it difficult to ensure learning builds securely on previous knowledge.
- In a small number of subjects, assessment checks are not precise enough to effectively evaluate how securely pupils are building their knowledge or to inform subsequent learning.
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 | 52% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| 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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