Schools and education

Our aim is to provide children and young people of the borough with education and learning opportunities. We also support parents and carers when it comes to schooling.

School meals

Information and guidance on entitlement and criteria

Adult learning

We help over 3,000 adults learn new skills and develop interests every year.

Children missing from education

All children are entitled to an efficient, full time education which is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have.

Home to school transport

Information on the home to school policy, dedicated school bus services, pre-paid school bus vouchers, school bus passes, timetables and prices.

Music lessons

The schools music service provides lessons for children and young people who wish to learn to play a musical instrument or sing.

School admissions

Admissions, Appeals, Education for students aged 13 to 19, Coordinated school admissions arrangements, In-Year applications 2022/23, Local authority report to the schools adjudicator, School published admission numbers, School admissions policies and summer born children.

School attendance

Regular school attendance is central to raising standards in education and to improving the life chances of all children. It enables children to gain maximum benefit from the range of educational and social opportunities available to them.

School closures

Decisions on school closures are made by the school head teacher, based on an assessment of risk to pupils and staff

School crossing patrols

There are over 10 school crossing patrols operating throughout the borough of Blackburn with Darwen.

School exclusions

Only the head teacher of a school or academy can take a decision to exclude a pupil. This must be on disciplinary grounds.

School governors

In Blackburn with Darwen, there are approximately 1000 people acting voluntarily as governors, bringing to that role their experience of everyday life in their wish to help children and schools.

School holidays

This timetable shows the standard school terms and holiday patterns for the academic year for community and controlled schools.

School lists

Lists of schools within Blackburn with Darwen with links to individual school websites where contact details are available.

School uniforms

The Council do not provide support for the purchase of school uniforms directly but some individual schools may be able to help with this.

Schools community resilience project

The School’s Community Resilience Project (SCRP) has been developed in partnership with local emergency services and this free teachers pack contains all the necessary tools and resources, to deliver these fun and interactive lessons.

Schools forum

The schools forum is made up of representatives from schools and academies with some representation from other non-school organisations, such as nursery and 14-19 education providers.

Services for schools

Schools and establishments can browse the range of services and courses on offer and purchase Blackburn with Darwen services and training.

Special educational needs and/or disabilities: Local Offer

Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn with Darwen’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are working together with partners (including families, education, health and care providers) to improve the support available locally for children and young people (aged 0 - 25) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) and their families.