Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School, Darwen

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School, a vibrant and happy school family where we all pride ourselves on being the best we can be. St Paul's welcomes 3-11 year old children, serving the Hoddlesden and surrounding communities: Our school is a fantastic place to learn, achieve and thrive."

In 2025, 62% of Year 6 pupils at Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 52% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 76% in Blackburn with Darwen and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 86% in reading and 96% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 39 families put Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 73 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 10 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School are Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary (1 mile, Good, 68% reading, 82% maths); Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 50% reading, 62% maths); Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy (1.3 miles, Inadequate, 53% reading, 63% maths); and Belthorn Academy Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 77% reading, 83% maths).

Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

53 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School (as of September 2025): 98% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that the school has high expectations for their child (89%).

1.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 24 pupils (10.1%) received SEN support and 10 (4.2%) 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 Darwen Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Carus Mill (by), 150 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 19 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, other crime and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Blackburn with Darwen (289).

In 2024/25, Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School issued 1 suspension, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School are Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (1.3 miles) and Aldridge UTC Darwen (1.6 miles).