SchoolScoresLower Pastures
Independent special school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Broadhead Road, Hoddlesden, Nr Darwen, BB3 3QP
07931 249374 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 10 February 2026 , published 19 April 2026.
In short: 3 expected, 3 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
At its last standard inspection the school did not meet all of the independent school standards, the legal requirements every independent school must meet.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted non-association independent schools inspection data.
Results
We don't show GCSE or primary results for independent schools. DfE's tables often leave out the IGCSEs and other qualifications many independent schools use, so their published figures can look far lower than pupils' real results. Ask the school for its results.
Admissions
Independent schools run their own admissions and set their own fees. Contact the school directly.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round.
| Pupils | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 0.0% | 49.4%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 100.0% | 99.6%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.0% | 0.4%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | Not published | 27.0%* | 14.4% |
Comparisons are with special schools. * 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby special schools
- Aurora Woodlands School 2.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Lower Pastures's Ofsted rating?
Lower Pastures was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 10 February 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 3 expected, 3 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 142531.
- Inspections: Ofsted non-association independent schools management information, data to 31 July 2026.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.