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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 146936

Blackburn Central High School

Academy converter · Blackburn · BB2 3HJ

Ages 11–16 · 1,015 pupils · Blackburn with Darwen

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

41.2

Overall absence

9.5%

Admissions demand

0.83 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-02-06

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.20
−20+2
Attainment 841.2
English & maths grade 5+37%
English & maths grade 4+58%
EBacc entry54%

EBacc APS: 3.8

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)33.2%
Unauthorised3.4%
Authorised absence
6.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.4%
Enrolments in measure
1,005

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.83 · Often has places

1st preferences

164

Places offered

197

1st-preference offers

151

Total preferences (any rank)
393
Preferred offers (top 3)
197
Applications from outside LA
22
Offers to outside-LA applicants
2
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill113%

1,015 pupils · 900 places

Pupils on roll
1,015
Boys / girls
530 / 485
School capacity
900
Capacity fill
1,015 / 900 (113%)
Free school meals
44%
FSM pupils
447
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: OAK LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Academy trust
OAK LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Sponsor
Oak Learning Partnership
Headteacher
Mrs Nicola Power

Location

Address
Haslingden Road
Postcode
BB2 3HJ
Town
Blackburn
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Blackburn with Darwen
District
Blackburn with Darwen
Constituency
Blackburn
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen, 1,015 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 44%.

Open schools in Blackburn
79
Secondary schools in Blackburn
10
Academies among open schools in Blackburn
18% (14)
Open schools in BB2
40
Secondary in BB2
7
Open schools in Blackburn with Darwen LA
89
Secondary in Blackburn with Darwen LA
12

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BlackburnNear BB2

  • Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Free schools · Secondary

    Blackburn · BB2 2LD · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 11–18

    • Att862.3
    • P81.3
    • EM5+85%
    • Absence2.8%

    0.8 miles away

  • St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Blackburn · BB2 2JR · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 11–18

    • Att850.5
    • P80.2
    • EM5+56%
    • Absence8.2%

    1.0 miles away

  • Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Secondary

    Blackburn · BB2 6DF · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 11–19

    • Att846.7
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+44%
    • Absence8.9%

    1.5 miles away

  • Darwen Vale High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Darwen · BB3 0AL · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 11–16

    • Att842.5
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+43%
    • Absence11.1%

    1.6 miles away

  • Witton Park Academy

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Blackburn · BB2 6TD · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 11–16

    • Att836.0
    • P8-0.7
    • EM5+31%
    • Absence9.1%

    1.7 miles away

  • Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Blackburn · BB2 7AD · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 11–18

    • Att870.8
    • P82.0
    • EM5+91%
    • Absence3.0%

    2.1 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Nicola Power
Telephone
01254505700
Website
www.bchs.co.uk

Official links