Crosshill Special School vs Aldridge UTC Darwen
Side-by-side comparison of key school data
Crosshill Special School
Darwen
Aldridge UTC Darwen
Darwen
Overview
Phase
Special
Secondary
Type
Academy special converter
Studio schools
Age Range
5–18
13–19
Gender
Mixed
Mixed
Religious Character
Does not apply
None
Admissions
-
Non-selective
Local Authority
Blackburn with Darwen
Blackburn with Darwen
Pupils & Capacity
Pupils
183
275
Capacity
185
300
Occupancy
99%
92%
FSM %
50.0%
46.2%
Nursery
Sixth Form
Boarding
Ofsted
Overall Rating
Good
-
Quality of Education
Good
Requires Improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Requires Improvement
Personal Development
Outstanding
Requires Improvement
Leadership & Management
Good
Requires Improvement
Last Inspected
Nov 2021
Jan 2026
Performance (2026)
Progress 8
-
-
Attainment 8
-
31.7
GCSE Eng+Maths 5+
-
19.4%
KS2 Reading
-
-
KS2 Maths
-
-
KS2 Writing
-
-
A-Level Performance (2024/25)
Average Grade
-
B-
Points Per Entry
-
37.0
Best 3 A-Levels
-
C-
AAB+ %
-
0%
Value Added
-
Average
A-Level Students
-
17
Retention
-
88%
University Destinations (2022/23 cohort)
Top-third university
-
3%
Degree course
-
40%
Any L4+ destination
-
43%
Apprenticeships
-
0%
Cohort size
-
30
A-Level Subjects
Subjects offered
0
7
Top subjects
Art and Design (Photography) (30)
Graphics (28)
Photography (28)
Art and Design (Graphics) (26)
English Language and Literature (2)
Sociology (2)
Fine Art (1)