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catchment.school

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen , serving pupils aged 11-19, with 1065 pupils, and a capacity of 1600 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-19

Age range

1,065

Pupils

1,600

Capacity

67%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2023

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Darwen Aldridge Community Academy?

The catchment area for Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is the geographic zone Blackburn with Darwen uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Blackburn with Darwen publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Darwen Aldridge Community Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Blackburn with Darwen. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Blackburn with Darwen before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Blackburn with Darwen catchment area documents →

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy: 1600 places, 67% filled: places available

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy has a published admission number of 1600 places. 1065 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 67%. At 67% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1600 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 32.8% of pupils at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Blackburn with Darwen.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Blackburn with Darwen publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Blackburn with Darwen school admissions →

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy: School Information

Full address
Sudell Road, Darwen, BB3 3HD
Local authority
Blackburn with Darwen
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-19 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
32.8% of pupils
DfE URN
135580

Other Secondary Schools in Darwen

If Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Darwen are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Darwen Aldridge Community Academy by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

What is the catchment area for Darwen Aldridge Community Academy?

The catchment area for Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is the geographic zone Blackburn with Darwen uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Blackburn with Darwen publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Darwen Aldridge Community Academy oversubscribed?

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy has a capacity of 1600 places and currently has 1065 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Blackburn with Darwen.

What is the admissions policy for Darwen Aldridge Community Academy?

Admission to Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is managed by Blackburn with Darwen. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Darwen Aldridge Community Academy cover?

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is a secondary school in Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen, serving pupils aged 11-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Darwen Aldridge Community Academy?

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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