St Stephen's Tockholes CofE Primary School
Darwen, BB3 0LX · Blackburn with Darwen · primary school
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50th 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 — 0.0/10 against 3,831 of them, against 0.4/10 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 | 10.0 · 0 | 40% | 0.01 |
| Ofsted | 8 | 35% | 0.27 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Stephen's Tockholes CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 10.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, 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 (0.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.4 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils enjoy waterpark visits and sledging, participate in theatre and live music performances, learn musical instruments, and take trips to Blackburn Cathedral, Roddlesworth reservoirs, and Darwen Tower.
Getting in
The published school roll is 56 pupils against a stated capacity of 70. 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 core subjects? What specific support is available for those aiming for the higher standard? How does the curriculum balance academic rigour with the practical activities listed?
What Ofsted said about St Stephen's Tockholes CofE Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils feel they belong in a "harmonious school culture" and are "ready to learn." While safeguarding standards are met and attendance is broadly in line with national averages, achievement in writing and mathematics currently lags behind the improvements leaders have recently implemented.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
- Pupils behave well, bullying is "very rare," and classrooms are "calm and focused places."
- Staff provide "carefully tailored support" for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, who make "swift progress."
- Leaders have established "well-understood routines" and positive relationships with parents, ensuring pupils are "cared for and supported."
- The early years curriculum helps children "swiftly acquire the important concepts" needed for future learning.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure staff select tasks that help pupils "consistently acquire the learning that they need," as some current tasks do not secure important knowledge.
- Improvements to the writing and mathematics curriculum must be embedded so they are "reflected in pupils' achievement by the end of key stage 2."
- Recent improvements to handwriting teaching should be embedded to make handwriting "more consistent across the subjects."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 64% |
| 2023/24 | 30% |
| 2024/25 | 10% |
| 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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