Ofsted: Expected standard emoji_events #17 in Blackburn with Darwen public Top 52% UK

Aldridge UTC Darwen

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

person Miss Julie Green

corporate_fareALDRIDGE EDUCATION

location_onDarwen, BB3 1AF

language Visit Website phone 01254819567

verified

Ofsted

Expected standard

Inspected 2026

groups

Students

266

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Attainment 8

31.7

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GCSE Rank

#19 in Blackburn with Darwen

#3,585 of 4,024 nationally

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Aldridge UTC Darwen is a Studio schools secondary school in Darwen, serving ages 13-19. Assessed at Expected standard by Ofsted on its latest Report Card inspection.

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School Summary

Aldridge UTC Darwen is a studio schools in Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, admitting pupils aged 13-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of ALDRIDGE EDUCATION. The school has approximately 275 pupils on roll, of whom 41% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 31.7, placing the school #19 in Blackburn with Darwen and #3,585 of 4,024 nationally. 19.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 5.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 5 A-level subjects. 51.5% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 30.3% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 3.3% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #1,731 nationally), out of 50% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: 0.06 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2026. The school's current overall rating is Expected standard. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Expected standard, behaviour and attitudes Expected standard, personal development Expected standard, and leadership and management Expected standard.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 8.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

31.7

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

19.40%

Grade 4+ E&M

35.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)5.4%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)30.60%

Triple Science Entry0.00%

EBacc Slot Score6.8 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

34.7

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

27.50%

Grade 4+ E&M

49.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)7.5%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS2.48

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.82

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

36.4

Grade 5+ E&M

21.70%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS2.51

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.90

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

35.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS2.44

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.9

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

33.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS2.3

2019

Progress 8 Score

-1.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

34.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS2.5

2018

Progress 8 Score

-1.48

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

28.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS1.98

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

89.9%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84.1%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment5.8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7.2%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

88%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

86%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)14%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

87%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)13%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

83%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)73%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)17%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.06

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*24.2%

Achieving A*–A30.3%

Achieving A*–B51.5%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate88.2%

A-level subjects offered5

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.23

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate78.90%

Post-18 Destinations 65.4% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 50%

handshake Apprenticeships 0%

work Employment 11.5%

Not sustained / NEET34.6%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate100.00%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)56.7% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 33.3%

stars Top-Third Universities 3.3%

handshake Apprenticeships 0%

work Employment 16.7%

Not sustained / NEET30%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Post-18 Destinations 81.3% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 53.1%

handshake Apprenticeships 0%

work Employment 28.1%

Not sustained / NEET12.5%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results & 16-19 Destination Measures

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank	A-Level VA	Top-Third Uni	Overall Uni (HE)
2026	#3,489 / 4,024	#17	#3,585	#1	—	#1,731	#1,683
2025	#3,324 / 3,948	#17	#3,399	#1	#908	#1,731	#1,683
2024	#3,399 / 4,450	#15	#3,192	#2,981	#360	#1,731	#1,683
2023	#3,382 / 4,321	#16	#3,209	#2,951	—	—	#2,238
2022	#3,284 / 4,199	#15	#3,323	#2,900	—	—	#1,560
2019	#2,681 / 2,711	#10	#2,629	#2,671	—	—	—
2018	#2,535 / 2,537	#10	#2,532	#2,529	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

20 January 2026

Inspection Report

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14 September 2021

Inspection Report

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25 March 2015

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2026-01-20

S5 Inspection REIF Report Card

Report Card

info

Why no single overall grade?

From autumn 2024 / 2025, Ofsted replaced single-word headline grades (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate) with individual area judgements on a Report Card.

Curriculum & Teaching

Expected standard

Achievement

Expected standard

Attendance & Behaviour

Expected standard

Personal Development

Expected standard

Inclusion

Strong standard

Leadership & Governance

Expected standard

Post-16 Provision

Expected standard

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2015-03-25

S8 No Formal Designation Visit EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Latest Ungraded: School remains Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

8.0%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

6.1%(16 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 264 pupils. During this period, there were 21 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 8.0%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	264	21	8.0%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	273	25	9.2%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	261	26	10.0%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	268	7	2.6%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	271	14	5.2%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	258	8	3.1%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	266	11	4.1%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	275	20	7.3%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	254	5	2.0%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	262	29	11.1%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	269	24	8.9%	4.4%	2
2020/21 (Summer term)	218	12	5.5%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	224	5	2.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	235	27	11.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	210	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	210	6	2.9%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	215	22	10.2%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	195	11	5.6%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	196	23	11.7%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	199	13	6.5%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	169	9	5.3%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	168	1	0.6%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	164	25	15.2%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	143	13	9.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	148	7	4.7%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	152	0	0.0%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 29 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 26 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 15 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 10 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 4 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

Overall, how do parents view this school?

89%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

90%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

87%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

strongly agree29%

agree29%

disagree43%

not applicable82%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree39%

agree42%

disagree5%

strongly disagree3%

Neither agree nor disagree11%

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

strongly agree58%

agree26%

disagree13%

Don't know3%

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

strongly agree53%

agree37%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

strongly agree34%

agree39%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

Neither agree nor disagree11%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

strongly agree53%

agree24%

disagree11%

strongly disagree3%

not applicable8%

Neither agree nor disagree3%

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

yes55%

no45%

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree57%

agree29%

disagree14%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes95%

no5%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Overall, how do parents view this school?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Blackburn with Darwen

Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School

Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School

Rawdhatul Ilm Wal Huda

Noorul Uloom

Jamiatul-Ilm Wal-Huda UK School

St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy