Schools by area › Blackburn with Darwen › Aldridge UTC Darwen
Aldridge UTC Darwen
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 13–19 · Studio school
Police Street, Darwen BB3 1AF · daestudio.biz · 01254 819567
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Jan 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 34.7
- average Attainment 8 score. Blackburn with Darwen 45.4, England 46
- Pupils
- 275
- 92% of 300 places
- Local authority
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 46.2%
- First language not English
- 2.2%
- School census 2025/26
- Trust
- Aldridge Education
The official school record (Department for Education)
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 34.7, and 27.5% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Blackburn with Darwen it was 45.4, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade B- (37 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼34.7 | 46.0 | ||
| ▼27.5% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼49.3% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼0.0% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼2.48 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 36.2 | −3.5 |
| Further education | 47.8 | +11.6 |
| Employment | 5.8 | +2.4 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 7.2 | −3.1 |
| Activity not captured | 2.9 | −2.3 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 students | B- (37) | Average +0.06 | |
| 17 students | B- (37) | Average +0.06 | |
| 9 students | Merit- (22.2) | Well below average -0.74 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 15 | B- (35) | +0.23 |
| 2022/23 | 24 | C+ (32.3) | — |
| 2021/22 | 23 | B- (36.3) | — |
| 2018/19 | 18 | C+ (34.3) | +0.70 |
| 2017/18 | 4 | — | +0.70 |
| 2016/17 | 9 | C- (26.8) | -0.25 |
| 2015/16 | 11 | D (20.7) | -0.76 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 36.1 | −11.1 |
| Further education | 2.8 | — |
| Employment | 8.3 | −16.7 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 52.8 | +30.6 |
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected Aldridge UTC Darwen on 20 January 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard
- Achievement: Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard
- Personal development and well-being: Expected standard
- Post-16 provision: Expected standard
- Leadership and governance: Expected standard
- Inspected
- 20 Jan 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Strong standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Expected standard |
| Achievement | Expected standard |
| Attendance and behaviour | Expected standard |
| Personal development and well-being | Expected standard |
| Post-16 provision | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Expected standard |
Previously: Remains Good, ungraded inspection, Sept 2021
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Sept 2021Ungraded inspectionRemains Good
Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
Mar 2015Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good 16 to 19 study programmes Good
What parents said
95% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (38 replies, to 6 April 2026).
- Recommend
- 95%
- Positive
- 89%
- Replies
- 38
- 14% · 6 Apr 2026
based on the 92% who raised concerns
based on 7 parents (18%) whose child was bullied
based on 21 parents (55%) with SEND