Witton Park Academy, Blackburn
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 7 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Witton Park Academy has strong safeguarding practices and positive relationships between staff and pupils. The school is investing in wider enrichment opportunities through activities like careers fairs, theatre trips and museum visits to broaden pupils' experiences, particularly for disadvantaged students. Staff are receiving improved training and the school is developing better support systems for vulnerable pupils.
Key Strengths
- Safeguarding culture is open and positive with all legal requirements met
- Support for reading is well-established and helping disadvantaged pupils and those learning English as an additional language
- Recent improvements to careers guidance and curriculum breadth through 'Witton Way' programme
- Positive relationships between pupils and staff in the school community
- Leaders are strengthening support systems for vulnerable pupils and those known to social care
Areas for Improvement
- Exam results remain below national averages, particularly for higher-ability pupils
- Attendance is not improving quickly enough, especially for pupils with SEND
- Teaching quality is inconsistent across subjects and some staff do not adapt lessons well for pupils with SEND
- Behaviour at social times is not consistent, and suspension rates (particularly for SEND pupils) are still high
- Communication about bullying incidents is unclear, affecting pupil and parent confidence
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has an open and positive culture of safeguarding with all legal requirements fulfilled, and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
boxing, badminton, cooking, careers fairs, theatre trips, museum visits, mental health ambassadors, prefects, charity work
Witton Park Academy is a school in Blackburn that requires improvement across key areas including achievement, attendance, behaviour, and inclusion. Leadership has recently undergone significant changes and is implementing new strategies, but improvements are still in early stages.
At a Glance
41.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
22.9
Avg class size
49
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
101%
Over capacity
1,243 pupils
1,230 capacity
13 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Blackburn
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Blackburn
Admissions Demand - Blackburn with Darwen
Places available
2,291
Applications
2,109
Got 1st preference
82.0%
Got preferred school
95.4%
Secondary admissions across Blackburn with Darwen (2025/26)
Inspection History(4)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
9.15946%
Overall absence
26.34643%
Persistent absence
1,374
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Witton Park Academy
Griffin Park Primary School
St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary School, Blackburn
Wensley Fold CofE Primary Academy
St Aidan's Primary School - A Church of England Academy
St Luke and St Philips Church of England Primary School
St Silas's CofE Primary School
The Olive School, Blackburn
St Barnabas and St Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Dar Ul Madinah
Meadowhead Community Infant School and Nursery
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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