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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 141321

Darwen Vale High School

Academy sponsor led · Darwen · BB3 0AL

Ages 11–16 · 1,039 pupils · Blackburn with Darwen

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

42.5

Overall absence

11.1%

Admissions demand

1.09 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2024-01-30

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
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)

Progress 8-0.29
−20+2
Attainment 842.5
English & maths grade 5+43%
English & maths grade 4+58%
EBacc entry16%

EBacc APS: 3.6

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence11.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)28.9%
Unauthorised7.0%
Authorised absence
4.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
6.9%
Enrolments in measure
1,114

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

1.09 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

258

Places offered

236

1st-preference offers

211

Total preferences (any rank)
531
Preferred offers (top 3)
236
Applications from outside LA
8
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
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 fill87%

1,039 pupils · 1,200 places

Pupils on roll
1,039
Boys / girls
550 / 489
School capacity
1,200
Capacity fill
1,039 / 1,200 (87%)
Free school meals
31.6%
FSM pupils
328
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

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: ALDRIDGE EDUCATION
Academy trust
ALDRIDGE EDUCATION
Sponsor
Aldridge Education
Headteacher
Mrs Jessica Giraud

Location

Address
Blackburn Road
Postcode
BB3 0AL
Town
Darwen
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Blackburn with Darwen
District
Blackburn with Darwen
Constituency
Rossendale and Darwen
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 sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, 1,039 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 31.6%.

Open schools in Darwen
19
Secondary schools in Darwen
3
Academies among open schools in Darwen
37% (7)
Open schools in BB3
21
Secondary in BB3
3
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 DarwenNear BB3

  • 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%

    1.3 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%

    1.5 miles away

  • Blackburn Central High School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Blackburn · BB2 3HJ · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.2
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+37%
    • Absence9.5%

    1.6 miles away

  • 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%

    2.0 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%

    2.2 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%

    2.5 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Jessica Giraud
Telephone
01254223000
Website
www.darwenvale.com

Official links