Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy, Nelson

In its own words: "As members of staff and Governors, we believe that we are getting it right in providing a quality, holistic education for our children. We aim to give them to roots to grow and the wings to fly with Jesus as our role model. However, the true test is by asking those that we serve - the children and their parents."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Great Marsden St John's is a one form entry Church of England Primary Academy, on the outskirts of Nelson. We are part of the Cidari family, which is a Church of England Multi Academy Trust. I have been the proud headteacter at Great Marsden for a number of years now."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, gymnastics, choir and cheerleading.

In 2025, 60% of Year 6 pupils at Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 50% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 67% in reading and 63% 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 Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy as their first choice and 51 named it as one of their preferences, for 21 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 Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy are Castercliff Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 72% reading, 70% maths); Walverden Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 70% reading, 70% maths); Nelson St Philip's Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 63% reading, 68% maths); and Bradley Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 63% reading, 85% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy.

Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy is one of 15 schools run by Cidari Education Limited, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 49% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

36.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 32.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (50%), Asian (31%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 37 pupils (18%) received SEN support and 2 (1%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Nelson Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hazelwood Road (by), 70 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 237 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, Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy issued 3 suspensions, 1.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy are Pendle Vale College (0.7 miles), Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Roman Catholic High School (0.8 miles) and Colne Primet Academy (1 mile).