Pendle Primary Academy
Nelson, BB9 5AW · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
319th of 448 primary schools in Lancashire we can score, 481 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.5/10 against 2,363 of them, against 4.6/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 64.0 · 49 | 40% | 1.97 |
| Ofsted | 10 | 35% | 0.34 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Pendle Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 64.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, matching the national median of 64%. 5.0% reached the higher standard, compared to the national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in November 2025 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 415 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are available during the wraparound care hours? How does the new Ofsted framework affect the current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Pendle Primary Academy
Overview
Pendle Primary Academy is described as a "happy school" where pupils are "looked after and nurtured" and achieve well. The report confirms that safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture" where concerns are actively managed. Overall, the school fulfils the expected standard across all inspection categories.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve well, with disadvantaged pupils typically attaining higher than their national peers and standards rising steadily.
- Attendance has improved dramatically, shifting from significantly lower than national averages to being "broadly in line."
- The curriculum is "well-designed" and ensures knowledge builds cumulatively, with a strong focus on oracy and vocabulary.
- Pupils behave well, showing "positive attitudes to learning" and being "polite and courteous" towards one another.
- The school is highly inclusive, providing swift, precise support for pupils with special educational needs and those learning English as an additional language.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should evaluate the impact of the pupil premium strategy more closely, as they currently judge its success "too narrowly" and lack mechanisms to check individual initiative impacts.
- Teachers must consistently identify and address errors in pupils' handwriting, specifically where letters are formed or joined incorrectly.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 59% |
| 2023/24 | 51% |
| 2024/25 | 64% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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