Blackburn Central High School, Blackburn

In its own words: "We provide every student with a caring, inclusive and safe learning environment to encourage a culture of academic excellence and outstanding achievement in all aspects of life. We encourage our students to become thriving members of our community, who demonstrate respect and tolerance for all, alongside fundamental British values."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a great honour to welcome you to our school community. As Headteacher I am proud to serve a thriving school at the heart of our community, where every student is encouraged to achieve their very best."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, cricket, badminton, chess and debating.

In 2026, pupils at Blackburn Central High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 41, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.2 in Blackburn with Darwen and 47 across England.

37% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in Blackburn with Darwen and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 41.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.2: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 37.9, against 43.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 5.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 20 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 150 families put Blackburn Central High School as their first choice and 346 named it as one of their preferences, for 197 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Blackburn Central High School are Our Lady and St John RC High School, a Voluntary Academy (0.7 miles, Attainment 8 36.6); Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 62.6); St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 49.8); and Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.3).

Blackburn Central High School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Blackburn Central High School is one of 9 schools run by Oak Learning Partnership, an academy trust.

Of the 172 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 90% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 69% to a further education college and 1% into work.

44% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 59.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (66%) and White British (21%).

In 2026, 237 pupils (23.3%) received SEN support and 36 (3.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Blackburn Rail Station, about 990 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Blackburn Central High School (by), 60 metres away.

In 2024/25, Blackburn Central High School issued 331 suspensions, 33.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 4 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Blackburn Central High School are St Mary's and St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn (0.2 miles), Audley Junior School (0.2 miles), Audley Infant School (0.2 miles) and St Matthew's Church of England Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.