Newfield School
Old Bank Lane, Off Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, BB1 2PWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Newfield School is a special school in Blackburn for ages 4 to 19. It is one of the 88 schools in Blackburn with Darwen. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 3 December 2024, report published 20 January 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 December 2024
This is a welcoming school where pupils are known and celebrated as individuals. From the early years, pupils settle into the routines of school life well when they join the school. Relationships between pupils and staff are caring and strong. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe. Pupils enjoy their learning, which is designed to stimulate their interests, develop their independence and prepare them well for adulthood. Expectations for their academic and social achievements are high, no matter which pathway they follow. Pupils make timely progress toward their personal goals. Pupils, including students in the sixth form, benefit from staff's effective use of sensory and therapeutic approaches. This gives pupils the tools to regulate their behaviour. Staff swiftly respond to pupils' individual needs if they struggle with any emotional difficulties. Consequently, pupils' behaviour is calm in lessons and at other times during the day. The school nurtures pupils' personal development well. Pupils relish the opportunities on offer to them. These help to develop and broaden their understanding of the world around them. For example, pupils enjoy performing with a visiting theatre production company and regular trips to the swimming pool. They are proud to compete in a bowling competition with other local schools.
What the school should improve
- In a small number of subjects, staff do not choose the most effective pedagogical activities to deliver the curriculum as intended. Occasionally, this hinders pupils' learning of new knowledge. This includes students in the sixth form. The school should support staff to design learning that closely reflects the intended curriculum so that all pupils can learn well.
- In the early years, some children have variable opportunities to apply their learning in different contexts. This hinders some children's development of curiosity, concentration and enjoyment through play. The school should support staff to better utilise physical environments and resources to enhance children's learning experiences.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
16 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
242 pupils on roll, with places for 190
Schools near Newfield School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eden School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 13.0 |
| Oswaldtwistle White Ash School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| Crosshill Special School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| The Willows | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Lower Pastures | 4 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Community special school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Rachel Kay
- Phone
- 01254588600
- Address
- Old Bank Lane, Off Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, BB1 2PW
- Local authority
- Blackburn with Darwen
- URN
- 132051
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.