SchoolScoresOur Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ROMERO CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
North Road, Blackburn, BB1 1PY
01254 588388 · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 16 May 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
178 pupils in this year group.
23% — 21 points below the Blackburn with Darwen average, and 23 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 23% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 37.2 | 45.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
152 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 119790), before it changed to its current form.
88% — 5 points below the Blackburn with Darwen average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 88% | 93% | 93% |
| School sixth form | 7% | 18% | 36% |
| Sixth form college | 8% | 12% | 13% |
| Further education college | 63% | 53% | 35% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 7% | 5% | 4% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2023/24 performance tables. 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 155 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 106 |
| Of those, offered a place | 106 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 195 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.7
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 Roman Catholic 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 1st highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 87% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 47.7% | 30.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 4th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 2.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 93% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.3% | 14.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 83% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.4% | 31.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 3% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 3% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 40.5% | 23.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 10th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 2% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 102.3 | 23.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded10 pupils | 1.23% | 0.33% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 79% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.3 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 97% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 31.5% | 18.4%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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 secondary schools
- Al Islah Girls' High School 0.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Blackburn Central High School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jamiatul-Ilm Wal-Huda UK School 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 15% A*/A at A level
- Rawdhatul Ilm Wal Huda 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Markazul Uloom 1.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 2 expected, 3 needs attention
- Noorul Uloom 1.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 0% A*/A at A level
- Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 81% grade 5+ English and maths
- Islamiyah School 1.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 1 expected
- St Wilfrid's CofE Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2025 · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 16 May 2023.
How did Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 23% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 23 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 106 families put Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 155 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 106 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 150308.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2023/24.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.