How do you decide which schools are best?

We combine official data sources and our methodology to highlight consistent performance. Use filters to personalise results based on what matters to your family.

Are all Darwen neighbourhoods included?

Yes. We group schools by their locality field so you can quickly scan areas and their nearby schools. All sections are expanded by default on this page.

Why do results differ from Ofsted-only lists?

We consider a broader set of indicators and present more flexible filtering, including faith options, mixed/grammar status, and age ranges.

2026 Best Secondary Schools in Darwen Area

Darwen secondary schools serve this Lancashire town community with 3 schools offering diverse educational pathways. The current top-ranked secondary schools are Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio, and Darwen Vale High School. Secondary schools have an average FMS Inspection Score of 6.7/10, Good band, compared with England's 7.4/10 (Good). Families across Darwen benefit from local schools with strong community ties and accessible options for all students. Use the search filters to compare schools by Attainment 8 or FMS Inspection Score.

All schools in Darwen

Key Performance Metrics for Darwen

Average Attainment 8 score (out of 90)

Darwen38.1

England39.1

% pupils entering EBacc subjects

Darwen9%

England41%

Average EBacc APS score (out of 10)

Darwen3.0

England4.1

Average FMS Inspection Score (out of 10)

Darwen6.7/10

England7.4/10

Average Attainment 8 score (out of 90)

Darwen

38.1vsEngland

39.1

% pupils entering EBacc subjects

Darwen

9%vsEngland

41%

Average EBacc APS score (out of 10)

Darwen

3.0vsEngland

4.1

Average FMS Inspection Score (out of 10)

Darwen

6.7/10vsEngland

7.4/10

Top schools in Darwen

Showing 1-3 of 3 schools

Darwen Vale High School
Darwen
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
Darwen
Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio
Darwen Town Centre