Aldridge UTC Darwen is a mainstream secondary school in Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, for children and young people aged 13 to 19. In January 2026, 83 of its 275 pupils (30.2%) were getting SEN support and 19 (6.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 13–19
- 275 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Blackburn with Darwen.
30.2% get SEN support
83 of 275 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
6.9% have an EHC plan
19 of 275 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health39
- Autism23
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia14
- Speech, language and communication12
- Moderate learning difficulty7
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Studio school
- Ages
- 13 to 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 275 (places for 300)
- Headteacher
- Miss Julie Green
- Part of
- Aldridge Education
- Free school meals
- 46.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Blackburn with Darwen
- School reference (URN)
- 139924
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Blackburn with Darwen council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Report card, January 2026: Expected standard in 6 of 7 areas
Inspected in January 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Post-16Expected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, September 2021).
Contact and getting there
Police Street, Darwen, BB3 1AF
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Crosshill Special School Special school · Ages 5–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 0.9 miles
- Aurora Woodlands School Independent · Ages 10–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- Lower Darwen Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Holy Trinity VC School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 26.9%, EHC plans 10.1% 0.1 miles
- Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Secondary · Ages 11–19 · SEN support 17.7%, EHC plans 1.8% 0.3 miles
- St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 18.8%, EHC plans 4.8% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Blackburn with Darwen SEND schools in Blackburn with Darwen
Questions about Aldridge UTC Darwen
How many pupils at Aldridge UTC Darwen have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 83 of the 275 pupils (30.2%) were getting SEN support and 19 (6.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Aldridge UTC Darwen?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (39 pupils), autism (23 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (14 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Aldridge UTC Darwen?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Aldridge UTC Darwen?
Through Blackburn with Darwen council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Aldridge UTC Darwen?
You can ask for Aldridge UTC Darwen to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Aldridge UTC Darwen have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School, about 0.9 miles away.
Where is Aldridge UTC Darwen?
Police Street, Darwen, BB3 1AF, in Blackburn with Darwen.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.