Darwen Aldridge Community Academy vs Aldridge UTC Darwen
Side-by-side comparison of key school data
Overview
Phase
Secondary
Secondary
Type
Academy sponsor led
Studio schools
Age Range
11–19
13–19
Gender
Mixed
Mixed
Religious Character
Does not apply
None
Admissions
Non-selective
Non-selective
Local Authority
Blackburn with Darwen
Blackburn with Darwen
Pupils & Capacity
Pupils
1036
275
Capacity
1600
300
Occupancy
65%
92%
FSM %
36.2%
46.2%
Nursery
Sixth Form
Boarding
Ofsted
Overall Rating
-
-
Quality of Education
Requires Improvement
Requires Improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Requires Improvement
Personal Development
Good
Requires Improvement
Leadership & Management
Good
Requires Improvement
Last Inspected
May 2025
Jan 2026
Performance (2026)
Progress 8
-
-
Attainment 8
36.8
31.7
GCSE Eng+Maths 5+
21.4%
19.4%
KS2 Reading
-
-
KS2 Maths
-
-
KS2 Writing
-
-
A-Level Performance (2024/25)
Average Grade
C-
B-
Points Per Entry
25.0
37.0
Best 3 A-Levels
D+
C-
AAB+ %
0%
0%
Value Added
Below average
Average
A-Level Students
28
17
Retention
92%
88%
University Destinations (2022/23 cohort)
Top-third university
7%
3%
Degree course
48%
40%
Any L4+ destination
53%
43%
Apprenticeships
3%
0%
Cohort size
61
30
A-Level Subjects
Subjects offered
15
7
Top subjects
Psychology (40)
Psychology (24)
Biology (24)
History (24)
Sociology (22)
Religious Studies (20)
Chemistry (20)
English Literature (16)
Art and Design (Photography) (30)
Graphics (28)
Photography (28)
Art and Design (Graphics) (26)
English Language and Literature (2)
Sociology (2)
Fine Art (1)