Darwen Aldridge Community Academy: Enterprise at the Heart of East Lancashire

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy serves approximately 1,600 students aged 11 to 19 from across Blackburn with Darwen and the surrounding Lancashire communities. The academy occupies a striking five-storey building designed by architecture firm Aedas, completed in 2010 at a cost of approximately 49 million. Its central location in the Redearth area positions the school quite literally at the heart of Darwen. The school's ethos centres on entrepreneurial values: creativity, determination, passion, problem solving, risk taking, and teamwork. These are not abstract ideals but form the foundation of daily school life.

The most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2025 rated the academy as Requires Improvement overall, while awarding Good ratings for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision. Quality of education remains the area requiring continued focus.

The academy's physical presence makes an immediate statement. The five-storey main building, with its contemporary architecture and glass-fronted atrium spaces, stands in deliberate contrast to the Victorian mill town surrounding it. This was an intentional choice by founder Sir Rod Aldridge, who officially opened the school on 16 October 2008 as the first academy in the Aldridge Foundation's network.

Mrs D Barlow-Ward leads the school as Head of School, working within the broader Aldridge Education multi-academy trust structure. The trust's influence is visible throughout: entrepreneurship runs through the curriculum, with office spaces designed specifically for young entrepreneurs and a careers programme that emphasises practical business skills from Year 7.

The atmosphere is purposeful without being pressured. Students move between lessons through spacious corridors and bright atrium areas. The 2025 inspection noted that behaviour has improved significantly, with most pupils conducting themselves well. Staff know students individually, and the pastoral philosophy emphasises that every child should be known and supported through each developmental stage.

The school serves a genuinely comprehensive intake. Students arrive from across the socioeconomic spectrum, though the proportion from disadvantaged backgrounds is above the England average. This diversity shapes the school's approach: inclusive, supportive, and focused on raising aspirations within a community that has historically seen limited access to higher education and professional careers.

GCSE Performance

GCSE results at DACA sit below England averages, reflecting the school's journey of improvement. In 2024, the Attainment 8 score was 39, compared to the England average of approximately 46. Progress 8, which measures the progress students make from their Key Stage 2 starting points, stands at -0.77, indicating that students on average make less progress than similar students nationally.

To put this in context, DACA ranks 3,269th out of 4,593 secondary schools in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), placing it in the bottom 40% of schools nationally. Locally, the academy ranks 2nd out of secondary schools in the Darwen area.

The specific subject breakdown shows 53.8% of students achieving grades 9-4 in both English and mathematics, with 31.7% achieving the stronger grades 9-5 benchmark. In mathematics alone, 60% achieved grades 9-4. Only 5.3% of students achieved grades 5 or above across the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects.

These figures represent a challenge the school is actively addressing. The 2025 Ofsted inspection identified quality of education as requiring improvement, noting that while teachers have strong subject knowledge, there are gaps in pupils' learning that the school is working to close. Leaders have implemented curriculum changes and additional support programmes to address these concerns.

A-Level Performance

The picture at A-level is notably stronger. Sixth form provision was rated Good by Ofsted in May 2025, and the results reflect a more positive trajectory.

In 2024, 44% of A-level grades achieved were at A*-B, with 63% at A*-C and 95% achieving a pass grade. The academy ranks 1,485th out of 2,649 sixth forms in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 35% of schools nationally (25th to 60th percentile). Locally, DACA ranks 2nd among sixth forms in Darwen.

The sixth form operates as D6, a collaborative venture launched in September 2024 that brings together Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio, and Darwen Vale High School. This partnership allows students to access a broader curriculum across multiple sites, with transport provided between campuses. Students can pursue both A-levels and BTECs, with the applied general pathway showing 76.7% retention rates alongside the 94.4% retention in traditional A-levels.

The 6% achieving A* grades and 14% achieving A*-A are below the England average of 23.6% for A*-A, but the overall pass rate of 95% demonstrates that students who complete their sixth form studies overwhelmingly achieve qualifications.

The curriculum at DACA follows a carefully structured model designed to build knowledge progressively. Joe Burgoyne, Assistant Principal for Curriculum, oversees an approach that emphasises sequential learning, core knowledge development, and vocabulary building to support accessibility across all ability levels.

Students in Key Stage 3 study a broad curriculum including English, mathematics, science, religious education, physical education, and PSHE/RSE. Humanities options include history, geography, citizenship, and sociology. Creative subjects span art, music, drama, photography, design technology, film studies, and food preparation. Modern foreign languages and business studies round out the offer.

Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge, a point noted positively in successive inspections. The 2022 Ofsted report observed that leaders ensure teachers can develop their subject expertise. Subject departments operate with significant autonomy while adhering to trust-wide principles around entrepreneurial learning.

The challenge, as identified by inspectors, lies in assessment and the application of that subject knowledge to address gaps in learning. Some teachers struggle with effective assessment strategies, and the curriculum does not yet consistently build on prior learning in all subjects. Leaders have acknowledged these issues and implemented changes, though their full impact will take time to demonstrate in results.

Teaching extends beyond traditional classroom delivery. The school promotes independent learning, teamwork, and problem-solving as core skills, reflecting the Aldridge Foundation's emphasis on enterprise. Drop-down days, work experience, and external visitors all supplement formal lessons.

The academy places significant emphasis on destinations, articulated through its Futures programme. The stated aim is for every student to be independent and thriving economically by age 25, making positive community contributions.

University Destinations

According to DfE destination data, 39% of 2023/24 sixth form leavers progressed to university. This represents a significant achievement for a school serving an area with historically low university participation rates.

The school has produced notable university success stories. In 2021, Zoe Porter achieved three A* grades and a B, securing a place at St John's College, Cambridge to study History. In 2013, Khushna Sulaman-Butt became the first DACA student ever to progress to Oxford University, reading Fine Art at Ruskin College.

Over the measurement period, 2 students applied to Cambridge, with 1 receiving an offer and accepting a place. While these numbers are modest compared to selective schools, they represent meaningful social mobility in a community where Oxbridge was previously almost entirely absent from the educational landscape.

Other Destinations

The destinations picture reflects the school's vocational strengths. According to DfE data, 10% of leavers entered apprenticeships, including intermediate, advanced, higher, and degree-level programmes. A further 24% moved directly into employment, and 4% continued in further education.

The school maintains partnerships with major local employers, notably BAE Systems, through the Lancashire Careers Hub. Regular employer visits, assemblies, and interactive sessions provide students with insight into local labour market opportunities. The Aldridge Connect platform offers students LinkedIn-based professional networking.

Three-quarters of DACA sixth formers typically head to university, with more than 80% accepted by their first-choice institution. This speaks to effective guidance in matching students to appropriate destinations.

Admissions to Year 7 are coordinated through Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. The application deadline for September 2026 entry is 31 October 2025. Applications are made through the council's online portal rather than directly to the school.

The academy has historically been able to accommodate all first-preference applications. The school reports that every application placing the Academy as a first preference has secured a place. This represents a different dynamic from oversubscribed schools in more densely populated areas, where distance and catchment dominate admissions decisions.

Data shows 246 applications for 150 Year 7 places, representing oversubscription at a ratio of 1.64 applications per place. However, the school's ability to accommodate first preferences suggests that second and third preferences, or out-of-area applications, account for the difference.

For sixth form entry, applications are made directly to D6 through their dedicated application platform. The collaborative nature of D6 means students can access courses across three sites, with admissions handled centrally by the D6 Admissions Lead, Crystal, who can be contacted at d6@aldridgeeducation.org.

Open Events

The main Open Evening for 2026/27 intake takes place on Wednesday 1 October 2025, from 6pm to 8pm. Presentations from the Executive Principal run at 6:30pm and 7:30pm, with guided tours and interactive demonstrations throughout the evening. Student ambassadors are available to share their experiences.

For families unable to attend the evening event, personalised open mornings can be arranged during regular school hours. Contact the school directly at 01254 819500 or info@daca.uk.com to arrange a visit.

Pastoral care represents one of DACA's genuine strengths, recognised with a Good rating for personal development in the May 2025 inspection. The school's philosophy centres on ensuring every child is known individually, supported through each developmental stage.

The 2025 inspection confirmed that students feel safe, and the school has created a welcoming environment. Behaviour has improved significantly under current leadership, with the inspection rating behaviour and attitudes as Good. Most pupils conduct themselves well, though inspectors noted that poor conduct occasionally disrupts learning in some lessons.

Leaders tackle bullying effectively, maintaining a culture of vigilance and care. However, inspectors observed that some students remain reluctant to report incidents. The school continues to work on building trust and encouraging open communication.

The pastoral system operates through form tutors who maintain regular contact with families. A comprehensive PSHE and relationships and sex education programme addresses personal development, while British Values and SMSC (spiritual, moral, social, and cultural) education run throughout the curriculum.

Support for vulnerable students includes one-to-one guidance from qualified career advisors, with particular focus on Year 11 students and those identified as at risk. The school works closely with external agencies where additional support is needed.

The facilities at DACA support an extensive extracurricular programme. The purpose-built campus includes a large sports hall, an FA-accredited full-size floodlit 3G pitch, a dedicated dance and drama studio, and a theatre. These spaces serve both the school and the wider community, with activities running every evening and at weekends.

The DACA100

Staff and students have developed the DACA100, a list of 100 experiences that students can participate in during their time at the school. This programme encompasses clubs, activities, educational visits, and enrichment opportunities designed to build skills beyond the formal curriculum. The initiative reflects the school's belief that learning continues outside the classroom.

Sport

The sports faculty aims to develop students' competence across a wide range of physical activities. The outstanding facilities allow for a full programme of both curricular and extracurricular sport. Football and yoga clubs receive particular mention from students. The floodlit 3G pitch enables training and fixtures to continue through darker months, while the sports hall accommodates indoor activities year-round.

Duke of Edinburgh

All Year 9 students have the opportunity to begin the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, providing a structured framework for personal development, outdoor activities, volunteering, and skill development. The programme continues through bronze, silver, and gold levels for those who wish to progress.

Creative Arts

Music, drama, and art feature prominently in the curriculum and extend into extracurricular provision. The dedicated dance and drama studio and theatre space support productions and performances throughout the year. Film studies and photography are available at GCSE level for those with particular interests in visual media.

Enterprise

True to the Aldridge Foundation's mission, enterprise activities feature prominently. The building includes office spaces specifically designed for young entrepreneurs, and careers education emphasises practical business skills from Year 7. The school maintains links with local employers in all sectors, providing students with realistic insight into working life.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. The academy is located at Sudell Road, Darwen, BB3 3HD, positioned centrally in the town.

Transport links serve the wider Blackburn with Darwen area, with bus routes connecting to surrounding communities. Families should note that for D6 sixth form students, transport between the three campus sites is provided by the school.

Academic outcomes require honest acknowledgment. GCSE results sit below England averages, and the Progress 8 score of -0.77 indicates students are making less progress than similar students nationally. Families should weigh this against the school's strengths in other areas. The May 2025 inspection rated quality of education as Requires Improvement.

This is a school in active improvement. The Requires Improvement rating represents a journey rather than a destination. Leadership and management were rated Good, suggesting the capacity for change exists. Families should consider whether they are comfortable with a school that is working to improve rather than one with consistently strong outcomes.

The sixth form offers a different picture. A-level provision was rated Good, and results are stronger than at GCSE. Families considering DACA specifically for sixth form may find the offer more compelling than the main school data suggests.

The D6 model means students may study across multiple sites. The collaborative sixth form brings benefits in terms of curriculum breadth but requires students to travel between campuses. Transport is provided, but families should understand the practical implications.

The entrepreneurial ethos is genuine and pervasive. Enterprise values run through everything the school does. Families uncomfortable with business-focused language and careers emphasis from an early age may find the culture misaligned with their preferences.

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy represents a particular kind of educational proposition: a school with significant investment, modern facilities, and genuine strengths in pastoral care and personal development, working to translate those advantages into stronger academic outcomes. The Requires Improvement rating reflects an honest assessment of where the school stands, not where it intends to go.

The sixth form, rated Good and operating within the innovative D6 partnership, offers a compelling post-16 option with broader curriculum access than any single school could provide. University destinations, including occasional Oxbridge successes, demonstrate what is possible for motivated students.

Best suited to families in the Darwen area who value a supportive, community-focused school with strong careers education and entrepreneurial emphasis, and who are comfortable with a school that is actively improving its academic outcomes. Students who thrive on the enterprising culture and take advantage of the extensive extracurricular opportunities will find genuine enrichment here. Families prioritising exam results above all else should weigh the current data carefully against the school's other strengths.