What did Ofsted judge Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy's overall effectiveness to be?

Ofsted judged Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in September 2017 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in March 2023 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?

Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy has 207 pupils on roll.

What ages does Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy take?

Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy admits pupils aged 4 to 11.

Where is Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy located?

Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is located in Darwen, BB3 2JA, Blackburn with Darwen.

How do I apply to Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?

Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.

Does Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy have a religious character?

Yes — Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.

How close do you need to live to get into Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?

Distance did not decide places at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy for 2023-24 (Reception): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

How are Reception places decided at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?

When Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after / previously looked after children and children with special medical or social circumstances — (a) Children in public care and previously looked after children. This means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements or special guardianship order, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. (b) Children with special medical or social circumstances affecting the child where these needs can only be met at this Academy. Professional supporting evidence from a professional, e.g. a doctor, psychologist, social worker, is essential if admission is to be made under the criterion for special medical or social circumstances, and such evidence must set out the particular reasons why the school in question is the most suitable school and the difficulties which would be caused if the child had to attend another school. Parents must submit this evidence to the school by 15 January 2027, if they wish their application to be considered under this criterion; 2. Siblings — Children who have a sibling attending the school on the date of application and on the date of admission. Siblings include full, step, half, foster, adopted brothers and sisters and children of parent or carer's partner. In all cases both children should be living in the same family unit at the same address; 3. Children within the ecclesiastical parish boundary — Children whose parent(s) live within the old ecclesiastical boundary of St Barnabas Parish. A map showing the boundaries is available via the school website: https://www.stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/key-information/admissions, and 2 further criteria. Tie-break: Where there are more applicants for the available places within a category, then the distance between the Ordnance Survey address points for the school and the home measured in a straight line will be used as the final determining factor, nearer addresses having priority over more distant ones. This address point is within the body of the property and usually located at its centre. Where the cut-off point is for addresses within the same building, then the single measure between address points will apply and the Local Authority's system of a random draw will determine which address(es) receive the offer(s).

What is the largest ethnic background at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 95.7% of pupils at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy: Ofsted & Catchment

School AtlasBlackburn with Darwen

Blackburn with Darwen

School AtlasBlackburn with Darwen

Blackburn with Darwen

How close did you need to live?

Distance did not decide places here

Every applicant who applied on time was offered a place for 2023-24 (Reception), so there was no cut-off distance. This changes from year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

How places were offered at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after / previously looked after children and children with special medical or social circumstances — (a) Children in public care and previously looked after children. This means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements or special guardianship order, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. (b) Children with special medical or social circumstances affecting the child where these needs can only be met at this Academy. Professional supporting evidence from a professional, e.g. a doctor, psychologist, social worker, is essential if admission is to be made under the criterion for special medical or social circumstances, and such evidence must set out the particular reasons why the school in question is the most suitable school and the difficulties which would be caused if the child had to attend another school. Parents must submit this evidence to the school by 15 January 2027, if they wish their application to be considered under this criterion.
2Siblings — Children who have a sibling attending the school on the date of application and on the date of admission. Siblings include full, step, half, foster, adopted brothers and sisters and children of parent or carer's partner. In all cases both children should be living in the same family unit at the same address.
3Children within the ecclesiastical parish boundary — Children whose parent(s) live within the old ecclesiastical boundary of St Barnabas Parish. A map showing the boundaries is available via the school website: https://www.stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/key-information/admissions
4Children with a parent/guardian worshipping in a mainstream church — Children with a parent/guardian worshipping in a mainstream church which are members of; Churches Together in England or the Evangelical Alliance, or the North West Gospel Partnership. The list of churches can be found on the Churches Together in England or the Evangelical Alliance, or the North West Gospel Partnership websites. Lists are taken as on 1st September 2026. Churches in membership of the equivalent bodies to CTE in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are equally accepted. 'Parental worshipping' is normally taken to mean a minimum of monthly attendance at church at public worship, which can include weekday and Sunday service, for over at least the 6 months leading up to the 1st September 2026.
5Other children — Other children.

If two applications tie: Where there are more applicants for the available places within a category, then the distance between the Ordnance Survey address points for the school and the home measured in a straight line will be used as the final determining factor, nearer addresses having priority over more distant ones. This address point is within the body of the property and usually located at its centre. Where the cut-off point is for addresses within the same building, then the single measure between address points will apply and the Local Authority's system of a random draw will determine which address(es) receive the offer(s).

The document header states 'September 2027-2028' but the application dates and supplementary form reference September 2027 entry; some internal references to 2025 application dates appear to be drafting errors. Criteria 1(a) and 1(b) are listed under the same rank/number 1 in the document.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in September 2017 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in March 2023 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy has 207 pupils on roll.
What ages does Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy take?: Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy admits pupils aged 4 to 11.
Where is Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy located?: Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is located in Darwen, BB3 2JA, Blackburn with Darwen.
How do I apply to Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.
Does Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy have a religious character?: Yes — Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How close do you need to live to get into Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: Distance did not decide places at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy for 2023-24 (Reception): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.
How are Reception places decided at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: When Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after / previously looked after children and children with special medical or social circumstances — (a) Children in public care and previously looked after children. This means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements or special guardianship order, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. (b) Children with special medical or social circumstances affecting the child where these needs can only be met at this Academy. Professional supporting evidence from a professional, e.g. a doctor, psychologist, social worker, is essential if admission is to be made under the criterion for special medical or social circumstances, and such evidence must set out the particular reasons why the school in question is the most suitable school and the difficulties which would be caused if the child had to attend another school. Parents must submit this evidence to the school by 15 January 2027, if they wish their application to be considered under this criterion; 2. Siblings — Children who have a sibling attending the school on the date of application and on the date of admission. Siblings include full, step, half, foster, adopted brothers and sisters and children of parent or carer's partner. In all cases both children should be living in the same family unit at the same address; 3. Children within the ecclesiastical parish boundary — Children whose parent(s) live within the old ecclesiastical boundary of St Barnabas Parish. A map showing the boundaries is available via the school website: https://www.stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/key-information/admissions, and 2 further criteria. Tie-break: Where there are more applicants for the available places within a category, then the distance between the Ordnance Survey address points for the school and the home measured in a straight line will be used as the final determining factor, nearer addresses having priority over more distant ones. This address point is within the body of the property and usually located at its centre. Where the cut-off point is for addresses within the same building, then the single measure between address points will apply and the Local Authority's system of a random draw will determine which address(es) receive the offer(s).
What is the largest ethnic background at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 95.7% of pupils at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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How close did you need to live?

Distance did not decide places here

How places were offered at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after / previously looked after children and children with special medical or social circumstances — (a) Children in public care and previously looked after children. This means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements or special guardianship order, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. (b) Children with special medical or social circumstances affecting the child where these needs can only be met at this Academy. Professional supporting evidence from a professional, e.g. a doctor, psychologist, social worker, is essential if admission is to be made under the criterion for special medical or social circumstances, and such evidence must set out the particular reasons why the school in question is the most suitable school and the difficulties which would be caused if the child had to attend another school. Parents must submit this evidence to the school by 15 January 2027, if they wish their application to be considered under this criterion.
2Siblings — Children who have a sibling attending the school on the date of application and on the date of admission. Siblings include full, step, half, foster, adopted brothers and sisters and children of parent or carer's partner. In all cases both children should be living in the same family unit at the same address.
3Children within the ecclesiastical parish boundary — Children whose parent(s) live within the old ecclesiastical boundary of St Barnabas Parish. A map showing the boundaries is available via the school website: https://www.stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/key-information/admissions
4Children with a parent/guardian worshipping in a mainstream church — Children with a parent/guardian worshipping in a mainstream church which are members of; Churches Together in England or the Evangelical Alliance, or the North West Gospel Partnership. The list of churches can be found on the Churches Together in England or the Evangelical Alliance, or the North West Gospel Partnership websites. Lists are taken as on 1st September 2026. Churches in membership of the equivalent bodies to CTE in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are equally accepted. 'Parental worshipping' is normally taken to mean a minimum of monthly attendance at church at public worship, which can include weekday and Sunday service, for over at least the 6 months leading up to the 1st September 2026.
5Other children — Other children.

Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in September 2017 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in March 2023 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy has 207 pupils on roll.
What ages does Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy take?: Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy admits pupils aged 4 to 11.
Where is Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy located?: Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is located in Darwen, BB3 2JA, Blackburn with Darwen.
How do I apply to Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.
Does Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy have a religious character?: Yes — Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How close do you need to live to get into Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: Distance did not decide places at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy for 2023-24 (Reception): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.
How are Reception places decided at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: When Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after / previously looked after children and children with special medical or social circumstances — (a) Children in public care and previously looked after children. This means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements or special guardianship order, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. (b) Children with special medical or social circumstances affecting the child where these needs can only be met at this Academy. Professional supporting evidence from a professional, e.g. a doctor, psychologist, social worker, is essential if admission is to be made under the criterion for special medical or social circumstances, and such evidence must set out the particular reasons why the school in question is the most suitable school and the difficulties which would be caused if the child had to attend another school. Parents must submit this evidence to the school by 15 January 2027, if they wish their application to be considered under this criterion; 2. Siblings — Children who have a sibling attending the school on the date of application and on the date of admission. Siblings include full, step, half, foster, adopted brothers and sisters and children of parent or carer's partner. In all cases both children should be living in the same family unit at the same address; 3. Children within the ecclesiastical parish boundary — Children whose parent(s) live within the old ecclesiastical boundary of St Barnabas Parish. A map showing the boundaries is available via the school website: https://www.stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/key-information/admissions, and 2 further criteria. Tie-break: Where there are more applicants for the available places within a category, then the distance between the Ordnance Survey address points for the school and the home measured in a straight line will be used as the final determining factor, nearer addresses having priority over more distant ones. This address point is within the body of the property and usually located at its centre. Where the cut-off point is for addresses within the same building, then the single measure between address points will apply and the Local Authority's system of a random draw will determine which address(es) receive the offer(s).
What is the largest ethnic background at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 95.7% of pupils at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy

Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy: key facts

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Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy

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How close did you need to live?

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Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy: key facts

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