St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn
Earl Street, Blackburn, BB1 8EGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn is a primary school in Blackburn for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 88 schools in Blackburn with Darwen. It ranks 23rd of 49 primary schools in Blackburn. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 23 April 2013, report published 15 May 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 6 December 2022
Pupils, including children in the early years, enjoy being part of a friendly learning community and they are happy at school. Staff greet pupils with a warm welcome as they arrive each morning. Pupils are helped to feel safe because of their friends and the trusting relationships that they have with staff. Leaders ensure that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive the help that they need to access an ambitious curriculum. The curriculum for two-year-old children, and those children in the early years, is equally ambitious. Leaders have high expectations for what pupils can achieve. Pupils typically try their best. As a result, most pupils achieve well. Children in the early years are well prepared for the demands of Year 1. Leaders expect pupils to behave well. Pupils move calmly and sensibly around the school. Children in the early years understand school routines. For example, they know when it is time to work and when to stop and listen. The pupils who spoke with inspectors understood the impact of bullying others. They said that their teachers would act quickly to resolve any bullying, should it ever occur. Pupils know that everyone has differences and similarities. Older pupils enjoy supporting others, for example by acting as a buddy for younger children. Leaders and staff have successfully enhanced pupils' learning through a range of residential visits, trips and clubs. Pupils are proud of their school.
What the school should improve
- Some older pupils do not get sufficient opportunities to practise their reading. As a result, some pupils lose the confidence to read with fluency. Leaders should review their approach to reading in key stage 2 to ensure that no pupil falls behind.
- Some pupils are regularly absent from school. This hinders how well they learn. Leaders should continue their work to improve the rates of attendance for those pupils who are regularly absent from school.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
58 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
395 pupils on roll, with places for 480
Schools near St James' Church of England Primary School Blackburn
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookhouse Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 80% met the expected standard |
| St Michael With St John CofE Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 69% met the expected standard |
| Cedars Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 70% met the expected standard |
| Queen Elizabeth's Primary School | 0.5 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 45% met the expected standard |
| St Alban's Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn | 0.6 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 62% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Doug Stitcher
- Phone
- 01254698335
- Address
- Earl Street, Blackburn, BB1 8EG
- Local authority
- Blackburn with Darwen
- URN
- 119502
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.