Castercliff Primary School, Nelson

From the headteacher's welcome: "A warm welcome to Castercliff Primary Academy. As Principal, I am immensely proud to lead our vibrant, inclusive school community where high expectations, strong relationships and a deep sense of belonging are at the heart of everything we do."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 72% of Year 6 pupils at Castercliff Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 70% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 45% in reading and 51% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 30 families put Castercliff Primary School as their first choice and 76 named it as one of their preferences, for 37 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Castercliff Primary School are Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 60% reading, 50% maths); Colne Primet Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 77% reading, 77% maths); Walverden Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 70% reading, 70% maths); and Bradley Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 63% reading, 85% maths).

Castercliff Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Castercliff Primary School is one of 5 schools run by Pendle Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 64% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

47.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 58.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (37%) and White British (36%).

The nearest railway station is Nelson Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Castercliff Primary School (by), 70 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Castercliff Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 264 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Castercliff Primary School issued 41 suspensions, 10.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Castercliff Primary School are Pendle Vale College (0.3 miles), Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Roman Catholic High School (0.4 miles) and Colne Primet Academy (0.6 miles).