SchoolScoresSt Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Green Lane, Blackburn, BB2 4SR
01254 202519 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 4 March 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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
89 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Blackburn comparisons use the 4 of its 10 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 6 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 | Blackburn | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Blackburn. Higher than 44% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 79% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Blackburn. Higher than 43% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Blackburn. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 79% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 34 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Blackburn. Higher than 34% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 44% | 48% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 67 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Blackburn. Higher than 39% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 66% | 69% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 22 parents of children with SEND Higher than 36% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Blackburn. Higher than 39% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75%said yes | 73% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 9%). 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. Blackburn figures pool parents at the Blackburn 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
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
202 pupils in this year group.
54% — 10 points above the Blackburn with Darwen average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 54% | 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. | 47.4 | 45.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.3 | 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.
207 pupils in this year group.
87% — about the same as 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. | 87% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 17% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 12% | 13% |
| Further education college | 65% | 52% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 87% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 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 about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 207 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 262 |
| Of those, offered a place | 205 (78%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 521 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.3
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 7th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.0% | 30.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 2.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 23% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.2% | 14.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 31.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 66% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 19.6% | 23.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7 | 23.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 55% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils | 0.48% | 0.33% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 27% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 72% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6% | 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
- Witton Park Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 needs attention · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Wilfrid's CofE Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 81% grade 5+ English and maths
- Markazul Uloom 1.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 2 expected, 3 needs attention
- Noorul Uloom 1.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 0% A*/A at A level
- Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 93% grade 5+ English and maths
- Westholme School 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 30% A*/A at A level
- Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2025 · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Blackburn Central High School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Darwen Vale High School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 4 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 54% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn?
75% of the 89 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 262 families put St Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn as their first choice for 207 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 205 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 119793.
- 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, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.