Blacko Primary School, Nelson

Ofsted's report card from its 8 September 2026 inspection grades Blacko Primary School on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have the highest of expectations for pupils' attendance."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders have expertly crafted an aspirational curriculum that meets the needs of children very well."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion is at the heart of leaders' work."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders, trustees and members of the local governing body have the highest of aspirations for pupils."

Achievement - Expected standard. "By the end of Year 6, pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is consistently above the national average."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The school's curriculum is ambitious and meets the needs of pupils well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise pupils' personal development alongside their academic learning."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further build on their assessment systems for checking on pupils' learning so that they develop and remember detailed knowledge across the curriculum in the longer term"; "Leaders should continue to embed the refinements to the writing curriculum so that the small number of pupils who struggle with their handwriting quickly develop fluency in their early writing skills".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Blacko School is a Community Primary School which offers primary education to children aged 5 - 11. Our building is over 100 years old and is a traditional village school. Children of 5 years of age gain a great deal from close contact with older children and our small staff are committed to the development of a happy thriving school."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 83% of Year 6 pupils at Blacko Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 92% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 100% in reading and 93% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 18 families put Blacko Primary School as their first choice and 46 named it as one of their preferences, for 14 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 4 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Blacko Primary School are Barrowford School (1.2 miles, Good, 72% reading, 60% maths); Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School (1.4 miles, Outstanding, 100% reading, 88% maths); Roughlee Church of England Primary School (1.6 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths); and Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Primary School, Nelson (1.6 miles, Good, 93% reading, 96% maths).

Blacko Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Blacko Primary School is one of 5 schools run by Apex Collaborative Trust, an academy trust.

2.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 10 pupils (9.7%) received SEN support and 3 (2.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest railway station is Colne Rail Station, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Rising Sun Inn (outside), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 12 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

Blacko Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.