Avondale Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Durham Road, Darwen, BB3 1NNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Avondale Primary School is a primary school in Darwen for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 88 schools in Blackburn with Darwen. It ranks 1st of 14 primary schools in Darwen. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2018.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 5 June 2018, report published 13 July 2018

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 July 2023

Pupils are respectful and kind. They enjoy positive relationships with each other and with the staff, who take good care of them. Pupils respond well to the high expectations that leaders have of their conduct. They are happy at this school. Most pupils work hard to meet the high aspirations that leaders have of their achievement. This includes children in the early years. Most pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well. Leaders deal effectively with any rare cases of bullying that may occur. Pupils said that they have trusted adults that they can speak to if they have any worries or concerns. This helps pupils to feel safe. Pupils take part in a wide range of activities that help them to become confident, resilient and independent young people. They relish opportunities to take on leadership roles such as reading buddies, house captains and school council members. Older pupils are particularly proud of the support that they provide for children in the early years to get them ready to start Year 1. Pupils enjoy taking part in adventurous activities during a residential visit to a local outdoor centre.

What the school should improve

  • On occasion, the misconceptions that some pupils have about their learning are not addressed in a timely manner. When this happens, these pupils are not as well prepared as they should be to tackle new learning. Leaders should ensure that staff receive the support that they need to rectify the misconceptions that some pupils have, so that these pupils achieve as well as they should.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

58 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths72%

72%, 10 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths12%

12%, 4 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score107

107, 1 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

400 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals28%

28%, 1.5 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7.3%

7.3%, 14.3 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support16.2%

16.2%, 1.4 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.2%

4.2%, 1.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Avondale Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School0.3 milesOfsted: Requires improvement38% met the expected standard
St Edward's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy0.6 milesOfsted: Good70% met the expected standard
Holy Trinity VC School0.6 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to good62% met the expected standard
Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy0.7 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to good37% met the expected standard
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen1 mileOfsted: Good70% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Victoria Brown
Address
Durham Road, Darwen, BB3 1NN
Local authority
Blackburn with Darwen
URN
119294

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.