Castercliff Primary School

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

Marsden Hall Road North, Nelson, BB9 8JJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Castercliff Primary School is a primary school in Nelson for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 12th of 16 primary schools in Nelson. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2018.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 25 April 2018, report published 11 June 2018

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 June 2023

The school's motto 'shine' aptly describes this friendly and welcoming school where every pupil is encouraged to do their very best. Pupils talk about Castercliff Primary School as being part of 'one big family'. Warm relationships are at the heart of this school. Pupils said that they feel safe. They know that staff care about them. Pupils value the wide range of pastoral support that adults offer them. They trust that there is always an adult available to help them if they are worried. Leaders and staff have high expectations of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They expect every pupil to achieve and behave well, and are successful at making this happen. Pupils are eager learners. They said that their teachers make learning fun. Pupils' behaviour is good. They are responsible and considerate of each other. Older pupils are quick to help younger ones. On the rare occasions that bullying happens, adults deal with it immediately and effectively. Leaders are always looking for ways to celebrate the rich diversity that there is in this inclusive school. They pledge to offer every pupil 'adventures and long-lasting memories' through a wide range of experiences, such as visiting theatres, being an outdoor explorer or being part of environmental projects.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of subjects, leaders have not given sufficient thought to the essential knowledge that pupils must learn and in what order they should learn it. Consequently, some pupils do not achieve as highly as they could in these subjects. Leaders should finalise their curriculum thinking in these subjects so that teachers have enough information to shape teaching and enable all pupils to achieve well.
  • Too many pupils are not attending school as regularly as they should. Repeatedly missing the odd day means that these pupils do not achieve as well as they could. Leaders should continue with strategies to make sure pupils attend school every day, so that they benefit from all that the school has on offer and achieve well.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

46 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths57%

57%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths4%

4%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score103

103, 3 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

387 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals47.3%

47.3%, 20.8 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language58.7%

58.7%, 37.1 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support14.2%

14.2%, 0.6 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.9%

3.9%, 2.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Castercliff Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy0.5 milesOfsted: Good40% met the expected standard
Colne Primet Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard
Walverden Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good65% met the expected standard
Bradley Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard
Nelson St Philip's Church of England Primary School0.8 milesOfsted: Good58% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
PENDLE EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Amy Hundsdoerfer
Address
Marsden Hall Road North, Nelson, BB9 8JJ
Local authority
Lancashire
URN
142055

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.