St Matthew's Church of England Primary School
Blackburn, BB1 1DF · Blackburn with Darwen · primary school
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44th 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 — 2.8/10 against 1,740 of them, against 2.6/10 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 | 53.0 · 24 | 40% | 0.96 |
| Ofsted | 6 | 35% | 0.19 |
| 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 Matthew's Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 53.0% 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%. 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 (2.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.6 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in January 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 258 pupils against a stated capacity of 280. 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 literacy and numeracy? What specific steps are taken to help children progress from the expected to the higher standard? How does the school plan to maintain current performance levels following the recent inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Matthew's Church of England Primary School
Overview
The report describes a "vibrant, multi-cultural school" where pupils are "welcomed warmly" and feel safe. While attendance and behaviour have improved to meet expected standards, the school faces significant challenges in ensuring all pupils achieve secure foundations in learning, particularly in the early years and for those with additional needs.
Strengths
- Attendance is now "in line with or above national averages" due to swift interventions and "positive pastoral relationships".
- An effective behaviour system ensures pupils are "friendly and courteous", with disruption and bullying "not tolerated".
- The curriculum is "generally well structured and ambitious", with staff designing "exciting lessons" that extend pupils' vocabulary.
- Pupils benefit from a "broad and coherent programme of personal development", including enrichment activities and opportunities to contribute to the community.
- Leaders and governors "support and manage staff workload and wellbeing effectively" and build constructive relationships with parents.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must develop a "more accurate process for identifying pupils with additional barriers" and create high-quality support plans to improve learning for vulnerable pupils.
- Provision must be strengthened to address gaps in learning, ensuring every pupil develops "secure knowledge in communication and language, reading, writing and mathematics".
- Governors and leaders should establish a "consistent culture of high expectations" and strengthen monitoring of teaching to improve outcomes for all pupils.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 41% |
| 2023/24 | 54% |
| 2024/25 | 53% |
| 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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