SchoolScoresDarwen St James CofE Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of CIDARI EDUCATION LIMITED
St James Crescent, Darwen, BB3 0EY
01254 703260 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 9 July 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
16 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Darwen comparisons use the 6 of its 14 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 8 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 6th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darwen. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 6th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darwen. Higher than 3% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 6th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darwen. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 11 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Blackburn with Darwen. Higher than 26% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 45% | – | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 13 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darwen. Higher than 17% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 82% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Darwen. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50%said yes | 90% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 8%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Darwen figures pool parents at the Darwen schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
19 pupils in this year group.
37% — 26 points below the Blackburn with Darwen average, and 25 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 37% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 53% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 47% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 63% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 99 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Blackburn with Darwen. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 29 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 28 |
| Of those, offered a place | 28 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 44 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Higher than 93% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 54.6% | 26.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Higher than 52% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.1% | 3.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Higher than 73% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.0% | 16.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Higher than 78% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 30.4% | 46.7%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 13th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Lower than 6% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.5% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 14th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Lower than 1% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 33.3% | 13.9%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Lower than 0% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 29.9 | 2.2 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 14th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Lower than 2% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 6.2% | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 10th highest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Higher than 44% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.1 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 14 state primary schools in Darwen. Higher than 39% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.1 | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 13 state primary schools in Darwen. Higher than 76% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 21.1% | 11.4%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Trinity VC School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Avondale Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Darwen St Peter's CofE Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2025 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Cuthbert's CofE Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Edward's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016, before conversion), confirmed 2020 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lower Darwen Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hoddlesden St Paul's CofE Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ashleigh Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 9 July 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 37% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 25 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy?
50% of the 16 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 28 families put Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy as their first choice for 29 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 28 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 140891.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.