UKSchoolSearch
OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 140879

Witton Park Academy

Academy converter · Blackburn · BB2 6TD

Ages 11–16 · 1,243 pupils · Blackburn with Darwen

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

36.0

Overall absence

9.1%

Admissions demand

0.59 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-02-24

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionNeeds attention
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.70
−20+2
Attainment 836.0
English & maths grade 5+31%
English & maths grade 4+53%
EBacc entry64%

EBacc APS: 3.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence9.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)26.8%
Unauthorised3.0%
Authorised absence
6.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.1%
Enrolments in measure
1,311

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

0.59 · Often has places

1st preferences

113

Places offered

261

1st-preference offers

113

Total preferences (any rank)
481
Preferred offers (top 3)
191
Applications from outside LA
5
Offers to outside-LA applicants
3
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 fill101%

1,243 pupils · 1,230 places

Pupils on roll
1,243
Boys / girls
648 / 595
School capacity
1,230
Capacity fill
1,243 / 1,230 (101%)
Free school meals
41.8%
FSM pupils
520
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

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH COLLABORATION TRUST
Academy trust
ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH COLLABORATION TRUST
Sponsor
Achievement Through Collaboration Trust
Headteacher
Mr Martin Knowles

Location

Address
Buncer Lane
Postcode
BB2 6TD
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, 1,243 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 41.8%.

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

  • 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%

    0.7 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%

    0.8 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%

    0.9 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%

    1.0 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%

    1.7 miles away

  • Pleckgate High School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Blackburn · BB1 8QA · Blackburn with Darwen

    Ages 11–16

    • Att844.0
    • P8-0.0
    • EM5+43%
    • Absence7.4%

    2.0 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Martin Knowles
Telephone
01254264551
Website
http://www.witton.atctrust.org.uk

Official links