SchoolScoresSt Wilfrid's CofE Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Church of England · Sixth form
Part of ST WILFRID'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY
Duckworth Street, Blackburn, BB2 2JR
01254 604000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 13 November 2013.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 11 January 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
247 pupils in this year group.
53% — 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 | 53% | 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. | 50.8 | 45.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 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.
253 pupils in this year group.
93% — 5 points above the Blackburn with Darwen average, and about the same as 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. | 93% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 28% | 17% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 14% | 12% | 13% |
| Further education college | 46% | 52% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
107 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 10% | 24% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 33% | 49% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 27.0 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
18 subjects, 312 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 54 | 2% | 11% | 19% |
| Biology | 39 | 0% | 10% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 39 | 0% | 8% | 30% |
| Mathematics | 35 | 3% | 14% | 40% |
| Sociology | 29 | 0% | 3% | 20% |
| Law | 27 | 4% | 15% | 17% |
| Business Studies:Single | 16 | 6% | 6% | 16% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 14 | 0% | 14% | 24% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 14 | 0% | 14% | 14% |
| English Language | 8 | 0% | 25% | 13% |
| Physics | 8 | 13% | 13% | 31% |
| History | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Religious Studies | 6 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Art and Design (Fine Art), Mathematics (Further), Art and Design (Photography).
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
127 students in this year group.
87% — 16 points above the Blackburn with Darwen average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 87% | 71% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 17% | 23% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 87% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
108 students in this year group.
84% — 31 points above the Blackburn with Darwen average, and 24 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 84% | 53% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 20% | 10% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 77% | 84% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 252 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 293 |
| Of those, offered a place | 216 (74%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 884 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.2
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision for hearing impairment. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 23.8% | 30.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.6% | 2.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.0% | 14.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.1% | 31.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 71% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 71% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 19.1% | 23.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8 | 23.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Lower than 57% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.27% | 0.33% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 50% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Blackburn. Higher than 17% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 81% grade 5+ English and maths
- Witton Park Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 needs attention · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2025 · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Markazul Uloom 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 2 expected, 3 needs attention
- Noorul Uloom 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 0% A*/A at A level
- Blackburn Central High School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Al Islah Girls' High School 1.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 93% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Bede's Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jamiatul-Ilm Wal-Huda UK School 1.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 15% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Wilfrid's CofE Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Wilfrid's CofE Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 November 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 11 January 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Wilfrid's CofE Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 53% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points above the England average of 45%.
Is St Wilfrid's CofE Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 293 families put St Wilfrid's CofE Academy as their first choice for 252 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 216 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 136900.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.