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OpenOfsted: GoodURN 146899

Crosshill Special School

Academy special converter · Darwen · BB3 1HZ

Ages 5–18 · 183 pupils · Blackburn with Darwen

School website

Ofsted

Good

Overall absence

7.6%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2021-11-23

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence7.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)25.2%
Unauthorised1.6%
Authorised absence
6.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.8%
Enrolments in measure
123

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill99%

183 pupils · 185 places

Pupils on roll
183
Boys / girls
120 / 63
School capacity
185
Capacity fill
183 / 185 (99%)
Free school meals
50%
FSM pupils
82
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy special converter

Age range

Ages 5–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

3 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: OAK LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Academy trust
OAK LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Sponsor
Oak Learning Partnership
Headteacher
Miss Nicola Pemberton

Location

Address
Salisbury Road
Postcode
BB3 1HZ
Town
Darwen
Local authority
Blackburn with Darwen
District
Blackburn with Darwen
Constituency
Rossendale and Darwen
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Special classes
Has Special Classes

Local context

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

Mixed academy special converter, Ages 5–18, in Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, 183 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, special school. Free school meals: 50%. SEN provision includes: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty.

Open schools in Darwen
19
Academies among open schools in Darwen
37% (7)
Open schools in BB3
21
Open schools in Blackburn with Darwen LA
89

Nearby schools

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

Compare with theseAll in DarwenNear BB3

  • Avondale Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Darwen · BB3 1NN · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 4–11

    • KS267%
    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM28.0%
    • Demand0.97

    0.1 miles away

  • Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Studio schools · Secondary

    Darwen · BB3 1AF · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 13–19

    • Att836.4
    • P8-0.8
    • EM5+22%
    • Absence14.1%

    0.6 miles away

  • Holy Trinity VC School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Voluntary controlled school · Primary

    Darwen · BB3 2RW · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 4–11

    • KS229%
    • Absence9.2%
    • FSM47.9%
    • Demand1.00

    0.8 miles away

  • Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Darwen · BB3 0EY · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 3–11

    • KS228%
    • Absence9.5%
    • FSM41.5%
    • Demand1.00

    0.8 miles away

  • Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Darwen · BB3 3HD · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 11–19

    • Att839.0
    • P8-0.8
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence11.3%

    1.0 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%

    1.0 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Miss Nicola Pemberton
Telephone
01254667713
Website
www.crosshillblackburn.co.uk

Official links