Walverden Primary School, Nelson

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a busy and friendly school, with lots going on. Please feel free to contact the school direct with any queries you may have."

In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at Walverden 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 fell from 73% in reading and 82% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 38 families put Walverden Primary School as their first choice and 118 named it as one of their preferences, for 51 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 Walverden Primary School are Nelson St Philip's Church of England Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 63% reading, 68% maths); Marsden Community Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 67% reading, 82% maths); Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 60% reading, 50% maths); and Bradley Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 63% reading, 85% maths).

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

39.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 81.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 45 pupils (10%) received SEN support and 15 (3.3%) 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 660 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Manor Street (by), 270 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Walverden Primary School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 331 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, Walverden Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Walverden Primary School are Pendle Vale College (0.7 miles), Marsden Heights Community College (0.9 miles), Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Roman Catholic High School (1 mile) and Colne Primet Academy (1.2 miles).