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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 134989

Pendle Vale College

Community school · Nelson · BB9 8LF

Ages 11–16 · 1,046 pupils · Lancashire

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

41.5

Overall absence

8.3%

Admissions demand

1.01 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-02-10

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.07
−20+2
Attainment 841.5
English & maths grade 5+32%
English & maths grade 4+58%
EBacc entry52%

EBacc APS: 3.7

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence8.3%
Persistent absence (10%+)28.4%
Unauthorised2.8%
Authorised absence
5.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.5%
Enrolments in measure
1,082

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.01 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

209

Places offered

206

1st-preference offers

189

Total preferences (any rank)
543
Preferred offers (top 3)
206
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill100%

1,046 pupils · 1,050 places

Pupils on roll
1,046
Boys / girls
582 / 464
School capacity
1,050
Capacity fill
1,046 / 1,050 (100%)
Free school meals
37.6%
FSM pupils
393
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mr Oliver Handley

Location

Address
Oxford Road
Postcode
BB9 8LF
Town
Nelson
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Lancashire
District
Pendle
Constituency
Pendle and Clitheroe
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community school (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Nelson, Lancashire, 1,046 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 37.6%.

Open schools in Nelson
26
Secondary schools in Nelson
2
Academies among open schools in Nelson
27% (7)
Open schools in BB9
28
Secondary in BB9
2
Open schools in Lancashire LA
709
Secondary in Lancashire LA
81

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in NelsonNear BB9

  • Colne Primet Academy

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Colne · BB8 8JF · Lancashire

    Ages 11–16

    • Att832.2
    • P8-0.8
    • EM5+18%
    • Absence13.2%

    0.5 miles away

  • Marsden Heights Community College

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Nelson · BB9 0PR · Lancashire

    Ages 11–16

    • Att840.1
    • P80.1
    • EM5+34%
    • Absence7.9%

    1.6 miles away

  • Colne Park High School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Colne · BB8 7DP · Lancashire

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.2
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+43%
    • Absence10.9%

    2.2 miles away

  • Sir John Thursby Community College

    Ofsted: Good

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Burnley · BB10 2AT · Lancashire

    Ages 11–16

    • Att837.5
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+28%
    • Absence8.9%

    2.9 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Oliver Handley
Telephone
01282682240
Website
http://www.pendlevale.lancs.sch.uk/

Official links