Roughlee Church of England Primary School, Nelson

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades Roughlee Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school provides highly effective pastoral support."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders carefully analyse pupils' attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have put in place an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum in English, mathematics and the wider subjects."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious for all children and ensure they have a positive start to their time in school."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive and nurturing school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "School leaders and governors know the school well."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue their focus on improving pupils' handwriting, grammar and spelling skills so that they are better supported to achieve to the best of their ability in writing and across the curriculum"; "Leaders should develop the early years curriculum to ensure that it highlights the most important knowledge and vocabulary that children need. This will enable staff to further deepen and extend children's learning and development through consistently high-quality interactions within the provision".

In 2025, 100% of Year 6 pupils at Roughlee Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 100% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 100% in reading and 83% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 4 families put Roughlee Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 10 named it as one of their preferences, for 5 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 Roughlee Church of England Primary School are Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School (0.9 miles, Outstanding, 100% reading, 88% maths); Newchurch-In-Pendle St Mary's Church of England Primary School (1 mile, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths); Barrowford School (1.3 miles, Good, 72% reading, 60% maths); and Wheatley Lane Methodist Primary School (1.6 miles, 86% reading, 90% maths).

Roughlee Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

36% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (68%), White British (18%) and Mixed (14%).

Roughlee Church of England Primary School had 4 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Nelson Rail Station, about 2 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Primary School (opposite), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

Roughlee Church of England Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.