Located in Darwen, Darwen Vale High School is a secondary school, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy sponsor led and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
Darwen Vale High School currently has around 1071 pupils on roll, which is about 89% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 53.4% boys and 46.6% girls. Around 31.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 11.1%. Persistent absence is recorded at 28.9%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (89.2%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 94% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (80%) , including 17% who stay in school sixth forms and 62% progressing to further education , while 12% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Blackburn Road, Darwen, BB3 0AL |
| Website: | www.darwenvale.com |
| Telephone: | 01254223000 |
| School Type: | Academy sponsor led |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mrs Jessica Giraud |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 141321 |
Ofsted inspection date: 30/01/2024
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1200 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1071 |
| Number of Boys: | 572 |
| Number of Girls: | 499 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 11.1% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 28.9% | 8.2% |
| White British | 89.20% | 955 |
| Unclassified | 3.60% | 39 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 2.50% | 27 |
| Other White | 1.30% | 14 |
| Pakistani | 1.10% | 12 |
| Other Mixed | 0.90% | 10 |
| Other Asian | 0.40% | 4 |
| African | 0.30% | 3 |
| Chinese | 0.30% | 3 |
| White and Asian | 0.30% | 3 |
| Indian | 0.10% | 1 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish | 0.00% | 0 |
| White and Black African | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Other Black | 0.00% | 0 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwen Childrens Centre Winterton Road , BB3 0ER | - not rated | 1,644 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Longshaw Nursery School Crosby Road , BB2 3NF | 3out of 4 | 2,017 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Turncroft Nursery School Highfield Road , BB3 2DN | 4out of 4 | 2,760 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Darwen Primary School Milking Lane , Lower Darwen BB3 0RB | 3out of 4 | 514 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Edward's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Blackburn Road , BB3 0AA | 3out of 4 | 1,056 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Edward's Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn Blackburn Road , BB3 0AA | - not rated | 1,056 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St James' Church of England Primary School Off Stopes Brow , Lower Darwen BB3 0QP | - not rated | 1,134 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn Holmbrook Close , BB2 3UG | 3out of 4 | 1,490 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwen Vale High School Blackburn Road , BB3 0AL | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Darwen Vale High School Blackburn Road , BB3 0AL | - not rated | 1,089 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Darwen Moorland High School Holden Fold , BB3 3AU | - not rated | 1,529 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Everton High School Manxman Road , BB2 3ER | - not rated | 2,136 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio Police Street , BB3 1AF | 3out of 4 | 2,284 yd | Studio schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dame Evelyn Fox Special School Roman Road , BB1 2LA | - not rated | 1,175 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Blackamoor Special School Roman Road , BB1 2LA | - not rated | 1,175 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Tullyallan Special School Salisbury Road , BB3 1HZ | - not rated | 1,699 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Sunnyhurst Centre Salisbury Road , BB3 1HZ | - not rated | 1,699 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Crosshill Special School Salisbury Road , BB3 1HZ | 3out of 4 | 1,749 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.