Best secondary schools in Darwen (2026)
Darwen has 3 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is Darwen Vale High School, in the top 62% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 38.1, against 46.1 for England. 0 are in England's top 10%, and 0 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Darwen has no grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Bottom 39% in England |
Darwen Vale High School Darwen |
43.2 | 43.1 | 40% | Good | |
2 Bottom 11% in England |
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Darwen |
37.1 | 36.5 | 24% | Not judged | |
3 Bottom 7% in England |
Aldridge Utc Darwen Darwen |
35.5 | 34.7 | 28% | Report card |
Other towns in Lancashire
- Accrington
- Bamber Bridge
- Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen)
- Blackpool
- Burnley
- Chorley
- Colne
- Fulwood
- Lancaster
- Leyland
- Orrell
- Penwortham
- Preston
- Rawtenstall
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Darwen?
On exam results over the last three years, Darwen Vale High School is the top-ranked secondary school in Darwen, in the top 62% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.