Blackburn Central High School
Academy converter · 1,015 pupils
81% stayed in education · Attainment 8 41.0
Further education
Blackburn College
- Pupils on roll
- —
- Free school meals
- —
- Year 11 cohort 2025
- —
- Ofsted
- Not covered by Ofsted school inspections
What the data says
Blackburn College is a 16–19 provider, so there is no Year 11 cohort: this page covers where its students went after 16–18 study and what they achieved.
Among the 1,343 students who left the sixth form in 2023, 23% went to university (Blackburn with Darwen 31%, England 37%), and 3% of level 3 students progressed to one of the most selective universities, against 19% nationally.
A level grades average C+, below the England average of B-; 7% of students achieved AAB or better including two facilitating subjects (England 18%). The largest A level subjects are Law, Psychology and Mathematics.
Where pupils went after Year 11
Destinations of the 2023 Year 11 leavers, measured the following year: the share in a sustained place for at least two terms. Compared with all state-funded schools in Blackburn with Darwen and England.
The Department for Education has not published destination figures for this school (new school, small cohort or not a state-funded school).
Where students went after sixth form
Destinations of students who finished 16–18 study in 2023, measured the following year.
University (higher education)Further educationOther educationApprenticeshipEmploymentNo sustained destination
| Measure | Blackburn College | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students in the cohort | 1,343 | 1,804 | 541,441 |
| Any sustained destination | 68% | 71% | 79% |
| University (higher education) | 23% | 31% | 37% |
| — most selective universities (top third), of level 3 students | 3% | 10% | 19% |
| Further education | 10% | 8% | 5% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 8% | 7% |
| Employment | 26% | 23% | 28% |
| No sustained destination | 26% | 23% | 16% |
GCSE results 2025
No published Key Stage 4 results for this school.
A levels and other level 3 courses
| Measure | Blackburn College | Blackburn with Darwen | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students at the end of 16–18 study | 3,199 | — | — |
| — of whom A level students | 78 | 406 | 261,341 |
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| Average points per A level entry | 33.23 | 32.70 | 35.00 |
| Average grade, best 3 A levels | C | C+ | B- |
| AAB or better with two facilitating subjects | 7% | 14% | 18% |
| Average grade, applied general courses | — | — | — |
| Average grade, T levels | — | — | — |
A level subjects
Entries as a share of A level students, compared with the share across England.
| Subject | Entries | Share of cohort | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 21 | 27% | 4% |
| Psychology | 21 | 27% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 19 | 24% | 31% |
| Sociology | 17 | 22% | 13% |
| Chemistry | 14 | 18% | 17% |
| Accounting/Finance | 13 | 17% | 1% |
| Biology | 11 | 14% | 20% |
| Business Studies | 10 | 13% | 13% |
| History | 7 | 9% | 13% |
| English Language and Literature | 7 | 9% | 2% |
| Politics | 7 | 9% | 6% |
| Computer Science | 6 | 8% | 5% |
| Fine Art | 6 | 8% | 3% |
| Economics | — | — | 13% |
| English Language | — | — | 4% |
| English Literature | — | — | 11% |
| Further Mathematics | — | — | 5% |
| Physics | — | — | 12% |
Applied, technical and other level 3 courses
| Subject | Qualification | Entries | Share of cohort | England |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Studies | VRQ Level 3 | 89 | 100% | — |
| Business Studies | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 72 | 92% | — |
| Applied Sciences | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 57 | 73% | — |
| Social Science | VRQ Level 3 | 50 | 64% | — |
| Computer Architecture / Systems | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 38 | 49% | — |
| Engineering Studies | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 33 | 42% | — |
| Computing and IT Advanced Technician | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 31 | 40% | — |
| Business Studies | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 22 | 28% | — |
| Tourism | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 19 | 24% | — |
| Plumbing (Building Work) | VRQ Level 2 | 19 | 24% | — |
| Study Skills | Extended Project (Diploma) | 17 | 22% | — |
| Sports Studies | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 15 | 19% | — |
| Building / Construction Operations (General / Combined) | BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D* | 12 | 15% | — |
| Religious Studies | GCE AS level (Not continued to A2) | 10 | 13% | — |
| Religious Studies | GCE AS level (All) | 10 | 13% | — |
| Computing and IT Advanced Technician | BTEC National Diploma L3 - Band J - PP-D*D* | 9 | 12% | — |
| Computer Architecture / Systems | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | 9 | 12% | — |
| Mathematical Studies | Core Maths Qualifications at Level 3 | 9 | 12% | — |
| Engineering Studies | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | 7 | 9% | — |
| Finance / Accounting (General) | VRQ Level 3 | 7 | 9% | — |
| Sports Studies | BTEC National Diploma L3 - Band J - PP-D*D* | 7 | 9% | — |
| Engineering Studies | BTEC National Diploma L3 - Band J - PP-D*D* | — | — | — |
| Sports Studies | BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Applied Sciences | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Sports Studies | BTEC National Foundation Diploma L3 - Band H - P-D* | — | — | — |
| Law / Legal Studies | BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (Band D) | — | — | — |
| Applied Sciences | BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (Band D) | — | — | — |
| Engineering Studies | VRQ Level 2 | — | — | — |
Other secondary schools in Blackburn with Darwen
Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
Academy sponsor led · sixth form · 1,036 pupils
80% stayed in education · Attainment 8 36.5
Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio
Studio schools · sixth form · 275 pupils
87% stayed in education · Attainment 8 34.7
Darwen Vale High School
Academy sponsor led · 1,039 pupils
75% stayed in education · Attainment 8 43.1
Pleckgate High School
Academy sponsor led · 1,339 pupils
85% stayed in education · Attainment 8 49.2
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
Free schools · sixth form · 873 pupils
86% stayed in education · Attainment 8 47.0
Sources: Department for Education school and college performance tables 2024/2025 (Key Stage 4 and 16–18 results, subject entries, destination measures for 2023 leavers); Get Information About Schools register as at 19 September 2026; Ofsted management information as at 31 August 2026. Small numbers are suppressed by DfE and shown as “—”. How to read these figures.