St Michael With St John CofE Primary School
Blackburn, BB1 6LE · Blackburn with Darwen · primary school
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18th 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 — 6.2/10 against 2,671 of them, against 5.4/10 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 | 69.0 · 63 | 40% | 2.51 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Michael With St John CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 69.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 5.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Garden Club, Blackburn Children’s University, and Masters of Martial Arts. Sports include Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, swimming lessons, and Scouts. Arts and music cover arts and crafts and creative days. Trips go to the University Centre, Blackburn College, and Blackburn Museum. A breakfast club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 262 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 do not reach the higher standard in maths? What does a typical day look like for a child joining the breakfast club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Michael With St John CofE Primary School
Overview
St Michael With St John CofE Primary School continues to be a good school, providing a "calm and purposeful environment" where pupils feel safe. The report highlights that pupils are happy, confident, and well-prepared for life in modern Britain, with strong emphasis on nurturing relationships and high expectations.
Strengths
- The curriculum is described as "ambitious and engaging," allowing pupils to develop a "deep body of subject knowledge" and revisit prior learning effectively.
- Reading is central to the curriculum, with skilled support ensuring pupils become "established, fluent and enthusiastic readers" by the end of key stage 2.
- Leaders quickly identify and support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring they receive the "same ambitious curriculum as their peers."
- Behaviour is "extremely positive," with pupils being polite, respectful, and able to learn free from distraction.
- Staff morale is high, with leaders carefully monitoring workload and ensuring staff feel "valued and well supported."
Areas to improve
- In some curriculum areas, there are occasional gaps in teachers’ subject knowledge which "hampers their ability to teach aspects of the curriculum as effectively as they could." Leaders should ensure all staff have the appropriate expertise to deliver the curriculum consistently well.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff being well trained to spot risks and leaders ensuring pupils access necessary support from specialist external services when appropriate.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 60% |
| 2023/24 | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 69% |
| 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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