Blacko Primary School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Blacko Primary School, Gisburn Road, Blacko, Nelson, BB9 6LSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Blacko Primary School is a primary school in Nelson for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 3rd of 16 primary schools in Nelson. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2012.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 5 January 2012, report published 27 January 2012

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 November 2022

Leaders, staff and pupils work closely to fulfil the school mission to be respectful, collaborative and ambitious. Pupils benefit from the wealth of opportunities that leaders provide. For example, older pupils enjoy a residential trip, where they take part in exciting activities such as canoeing and climbing. Pupils take on active roles in the school and the community. Sports leaders organise playtime equipment. Buddies take care of younger children. Pupils develop as caring, thoughtful citizens. Leaders are determined that all pupils will achieve well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils meet this ambition and learn successfully across a range of subjects. They are well prepared for their next stage in education. Pupils are excited to arrive at school each morning. The school is like a family. All are welcome. Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and friendly. At playtimes, pupils play well together. They enjoy the many fun activities that staff provide. Pupils behave well in class. Pupils feel safe in school. They know that they can speak to their teachers if they have any worries or concerns. Leaders take decisive action to ensure that should bullying occur, it will be dealt with promptly and appropriately.

What the school should improve

  • Most teaching staff are new to the school and are in the process of strengthening their knowledge of the subjects and key stages that they teach. They have had limited time to access subject-specific training in different areas of the curriculum. This means that teachers sometimes do not implement the curriculum as leaders intend. Leaders should ensure that they continue to develop and deepen teachers' understanding of the curriculum and ensure that it is taught as intended.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

12 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths75%

75%, 13 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths17%

17%, 9 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

103 pupils on roll, with places for 105

Eligible for free school meals2.9%

2.9%, 23.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0%

0%, 21.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support9.7%

9.7%, 5.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.9%

2.9%, 3.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Blacko Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Barrowford School1 mileReport card: Needs attention to expected standard50% met the expected standard
Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School1 mileOfsted: Outstanding88% met the expected standard
Roughlee Church of England Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good100% met the expected standard
Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Primary School, Nelson2 milesOfsted: Good57% met the expected standard
Colne Primet Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
APEX COLLABORATIVE TRUST
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Kate Richards
Address
Blacko Primary School, Gisburn Road, Blacko, Nelson, BB9 6LS
Local authority
Lancashire
URN
145816

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.