Marsden Heights Community College

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 16

Ofsted: Good

Edge End Lane, Nelson, BB9 0PROpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Marsden Heights Community College is a secondary school in Nelson for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 53rd of 81 secondary schools in Lancashire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 3 October 2023, report published 26 November 2023

Overall effectiveness: Good
Quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

210 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score40.3

40.3, 5.8 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths33.3%

33.3%, 12.1 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths53.8%

53.8%, 11 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc15.7%

15.7%, 24.8 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.35

3.35, 0.74 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,047 pupils on roll, with places for 1,050

Eligible for free school meals35.4%

35.4%, 8.9 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language84.8%

84.8%, 63.2 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support14.7%

14.7%, 0.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.1%

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

Schools near Marsden Heights Community College

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Edenfield Girls' High School	0.7 miles	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 50.1
Pendle Vale College	2 miles	Report card: Expected standard	Attainment 8: 42.5
Sir John Thursby Community College	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 41.0
Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Roman Catholic High School	2 miles	Report card: Expected standard to strong standard	Attainment 8: 44.1
Colne Primet Academy	2 miles	Ofsted: Requires improvement	Attainment 8: 35.4

School details

School type: Academy sponsor led
Sector: Academy
Trust: UNITED LEARNING TRUST
Age range: 11 to 16
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: No
Headteacher: Mr James Delve
Phone: 01282683060
Website: marsdenheights.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Edge End Lane, Nelson, BB9 0PR
Local authority: Lancashire
URN: 146276

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.