The short version
Below-average SATs results. Rated Inadequate by Ofsted (2023).
- SATs results are below the national average, with 37% meeting the expected standard (national: 62%)
- Rated Inadequate by Ofsted in 2023
- This is a Church of England school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Reading, Writing & Maths
Expected standard
Pupils meeting expected level in all three
37%
-25.0pp vs nationalHigher standard
Pupils exceeding expected level
0%
-8.0pp vs nationalSubject scores
Reading
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
99
-7.0 vs nationalMaths
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
100
-5.0 vs nationalGrammar & spelling
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
99
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 15 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
31% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
4% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 27 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 10 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 18 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 3–11
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Church of England
Numbers
- Pupils
- 194
- Capacity
- 73%
- FSM
- 53.2%
Governance
- Local authority
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Trust
- CIDARI EDUCATION LIMITED
- Head
- Miss Laura Peckson (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
- Nursery
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksFull inspection
6 official reports linked on this page, including 5 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Location
St James Crescent, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0EY
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmDarwen School
Independent · 747m away
Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio
Secondary · 803m away
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
Secondary · 840m away
Holy Trinity VC School
Primary · 879m away
Turncroft Nursery School
Nursery · 952m away
Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School
Primary · 1.2km away
Tullyallan Special School
Special school · 1.2km away
St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School
Primary · 1.5km away
Questions parents ask
What is Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy was rated Inadequate at its most recent inspection in July 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy?
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy currently has 194 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy take?
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy caters for pupils aged 3 to 11. It is classified as a primary school.
Where is Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy?
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy is in Darwen, BB3 0EY, in the Blackburn with Darwen local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy have a sixth form?
No, Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
Premium school profiles
Researching a selective school?
We hold deep admissions intelligence on the UK's top selective schools — exam breakdowns, interview formats, and parent strategy briefs.