Pendle Vale College, Nelson
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 7 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Pendle Vale College excels at supporting disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs, helping them make above-average progress and attend school more regularly than the national average. The school has built a calm, inclusive atmosphere where pupils feel safe, respected and cared for by staff who understand their individual circumstances. Leaders maintain high academic ambitions for all pupils while also providing comprehensive enrichment opportunities and pastoral support that help overcome social and economic barriers to success.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional progress for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, often exceeding national averages
- Significant improvements in attendance and behaviour, with persistent absence falling steadily and suspensions reducing sharply
- Highly effective pastoral care and support that helps pupils feel safe and develop positive relationships with staff
- Well-organised curriculum with clear knowledge sequencing that supports secure learning
- Strong commitment to inclusion that removes barriers to learning for vulnerable pupils
Areas for Improvement
- Some teachers do not consistently match learning activities to pupils' prior knowledge, leading to less effective learning
- Inconsistent experiences for pupils with SEND from lesson to lesson means some learn unevenly
- Work to support a minority of pupils to develop their handwriting is at an earlier stage
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has created an open and positive culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Extracurricular Activities
School musical, visits to places of worship, enrichment opportunities during the school day, careers education, creative opportunities
Pendle Vale College is a secondary school in Nelson, Lancashire that has established a strong culture of inclusion and high achievement. The school has made deliberate improvements in attendance, behaviour, and pastoral support while maintaining ambitious academic outcomes for all pupils.
At a Glance
37.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
21.7
Avg class size
48
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
100%
Over capacity
1,046 pupils
1,050 capacity
4 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Nelson
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Nelson
Admissions Demand - Lancashire
Places available
14,786
Applications
13,820
Got 1st preference
86.3%
Got preferred school
96.8%
Secondary admissions across Lancashire (2025/26)
Inspection History(8)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
8.20863%
Overall absence
25.5102%
Persistent absence
1,078
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Pendle Vale College
Castercliff Primary School
Pendle View Primary School
Bradley Primary School
Colne Primet Primary School
Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Primary School, Nelson
Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy
Walverden Primary School
Nelson St Philip's Church of England Primary School
Barrowford School
Al-Ikhlaas Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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