Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy is a mainstream primary school in Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 13 of its 207 pupils (6.3%) were getting SEN support and 1 (0.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 207 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Blackburn with Darwen.
6.3% get SEN support
13 of 207 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
0.5% have an EHC plan
1 of 207 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
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 primary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 207 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Rebecca Ham
- Part of
- Cidari Education Limited
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 8.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Blackburn with Darwen
- School reference (URN)
- 141483
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
Rated Good, September 2017; school remains Good (March 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in September 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, March 2023).
Contact and getting there
Knowlesly Road, Darwen, BB3 2JA
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
- Aurora Woodlands School Independent · Ages 10–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Crosshill Special School Special school · Ages 5–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.9 miles
- St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 2.1 miles
- Lower Darwen Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 2.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Ashleigh Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 10.5%, EHC plans 1.4% 0.4 miles
- Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 20.4%, EHC plans 4.2% 0.7 miles
- St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 18.8%, EHC plans 4.8% 1.0 mile
All mainstream schools in Blackburn with Darwen SEND schools in Blackburn with Darwen
Questions about Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy
How many pupils at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 13 of the 207 pupils (6.3%) were getting SEN support and 1 (0.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?
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 Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?
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 Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?
You can ask for Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy 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 Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy 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 2.1 miles away.
Where is Darwen, St Barnabas CofE Primary Academy?
Knowlesly Road, Darwen, BB3 2JA, 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.