Pendle Primary Academy
Walter Street, Brierfield, Nelson, BB9 5AWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Pendle Primary Academy is a primary school in Nelson for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 9th of 16 primary schools in Nelson. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in November 2025.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 25 November 2025, report published 21 January 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Expected standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Expected standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Early years
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 25 November 2025
Pendle Primary Academy is a happy school where pupils are looked after and nurtured. Relationships are consistently positive. Pupils work hard in lessons. They enjoy learning and go on to achieve well. This is reflected in the positive outcomes in national assessments at the end of key stage 2. The school's 'SHINE' values are well known and understood. Pupils know that they are expected to be 'safe, here, inspired, neighbourly and excellent'. As one pupil summed up, 'It's what the school expects us to be.' The school is inclusive. It develops a fully rounded view of the barriers that all pupils face, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, the many pupils who speak English as an additional language, those known to social care and those who are disadvantaged. The school ensures that pupils get the help they need to be happy, to thrive and to achieve. Pupils are respectful and courteous. They are motivated by the rewards on offer, including earning star badges, 'brainbox' awards and recognition in celebration assemblies. They know who to turn to if they need help or support. Bullying is rare. The school's work to develop pupils' oracy skills is of high quality. Pupils learn to listen, consider and debate issues. They are confident to ask others, including inspectors, to 'please reframe' questions when needed. From the early years onwards, pupils develop an equally impressive knowledge of British Sign Language. The school provides a rich set of experiences. Pupils benefit from a wide range of trips, visits, visitors and extra-curricular activities. The annual pantomime is a firm favourite. The school's impressive use of technology in the 'Immersive Room' provides exciting experiences, including taking a London tube trip and being in the forest alongside Little Red Riding Hood. Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should evaluate the impact of its pupil premium strategy more closely to ensure that all initiatives benefit disadvantaged pupils as fully as possible.
- Leaders should ensure that all teachers consistently identify and address errors in pupils' handwriting to help them make improvements.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
59 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
415 pupils on roll, with places for 420
Schools near Pendle Primary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 86% met the expected standard |
| Reedley Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 61% met the expected standard |
| Casterton Primary Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 72% met the expected standard |
| St John the Baptist RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 59% met the expected standard |
| Nelson St Paul's Church of England Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 58% 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
- Mr Simon Thompson
- Phone
- 01282615927
- Address
- Walter Street, Brierfield, Nelson, BB9 5AW
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- URN
- 139053
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.