Schools in Nelson, North West (2025)
21 schools · 6,978 students · 12 local authority, 7 academy, 2 independent · median Pupils on roll 312.
Nelson, in North West, has 21 schools in England's 2025 data, together educating about 6,978 students. By level there are 18 primary, 3 secondary; by sector 12 local authority, 7 academy, 2 independent.
The median Pupils on roll across Nelson's schools is 312, above the North West median of 237. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
19 of the 21 schools qualify for the Success Index (England). The highest-scoring is Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School (86.6, top 10% of primary schools nationally), followed by Blacko Primary School (84.7, top 10% of primary schools nationally), and Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy (70.9, top 25% of primary schools nationally). 2 schools sit in the top 10% of England for their type. Scores are percentiles within school type, so compare a primary school with other primary schools.
The largest schools are Marsden Heights Community College (1,047 students), Pendle Vale College (1,046 students), Walverden Primary School (448 students). One school is single-sex.
Ranked schools in Nelson
Ordered by Success Index (England). Rank positions shown on each profile are within England and North West.
- 187Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary SchoolNelson · Local authority Primary88% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 121 students
- 285Blacko Primary SchoolNelson · Academy Primary75% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 103 students
- 371Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary AcademyNelson · Academy Primary86% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 126 students
- 469Edenfield Girls' High SchoolNelson · Independent Secondary50.1 Attainment 8 · 102 students
- 562Lomeshaye Junior SchoolNelson · Local authority Primary80% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 352 students
- 650Walverden Primary SchoolNelson · Local authority Primary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 448 students
- 746Marsden Community Primary SchoolNelson · Local authority Primary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 415 students
- 843Pendle Primary AcademyNelson · Academy Primary64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 415 students
- 938Nelson St Paul's Church of England Primary SchoolNelson · Local authority Primary58% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 408 students
- 1037Bradley Primary SchoolNelson · Local authority Primary60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 417 students
- 1134Pendle Vale CollegeNelson · Local authority Secondary42.5 Attainment 8 · 1,046 students
- 1232Nelson St Philip's Church of England Primary SchoolNelson · Local authority Primary58% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 137 students
- 1330Marsden Heights Community CollegeNelson · Academy Secondary40.3 Attainment 8 · 1,047 students
- 1430Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Primary School, NelsonNelson · Local authority Primary57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 200 students
- 1528Castercliff Primary SchoolNelson · Academy Primary57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 387 students
- 1623Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England AcademyNelson · Academy Primary40% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 205 students
- 1715Barrowford SchoolNelson · Local authority Primary50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 312 students
- 1814St John Southworth RC Primary School, A Voluntary AcademyNelson · Academy Primary18% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 209 students
- 1910Whitefield Infant School and NurseryNelson · Local authority Primary– · 336 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (England) | Key result | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School Nelson · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 86.6 Top 10% | 88% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 121 |
| 2 | Blacko Primary School Nelson · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 84.7 Top 10% | 75% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 103 |
| 3 | Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Nelson · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 70.9 Top 25% | 86% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 126 |
| 4 | Edenfield Girls' High School Nelson · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 68.8 Top 50% | 50.1 Attainment 8 | 102 |
| 5 | Lomeshaye Junior School Nelson · Primary · Ages 7–11 | Local authority | 62.0 Top 50% | 80% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 352 |
| 6 | Walverden Primary School Nelson · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Local authority | 50.3 Lower 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 448 |
| 7 | Marsden Community Primary School Nelson · Primary · Ages 5–11 | Local authority | 45.5 Lower 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 415 |
| 8 | Pendle Primary Academy Nelson · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 42.5 Lower 50% | 64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 415 |
| 9 | Nelson St Paul's Church of England Primary School Nelson · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 37.8 Lower 50% | 58% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 408 |
| 10 | Bradley Primary School Nelson · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 36.7 Lower 50% | 60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 417 |
| 11 | Pendle Vale College Nelson · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Local authority | 33.5 Lower 50% | 42.5 Attainment 8 | 1,046 |
| 12 | Nelson St Philip's Church of England Primary School Nelson · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 32.0 Lower 50% | 58% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 137 |
| 13 | Marsden Heights Community College Nelson · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 30.3 Lower 50% | 40.3 Attainment 8 | 1,047 |
| 14 | Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Primary School, Nelson Nelson · Primary · Ages 5–11 | Local authority | 29.7 Lower 50% | 57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 200 |
| 15 | Castercliff Primary School Nelson · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 28.2 Lower 50% | 57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 387 |
| 16 | Great Marsden St John's Primary School A Church of England Academy Nelson · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 23.2 Lower 50% | 40% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 205 |
| 17 | Barrowford School Nelson · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 15.1 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 312 |
| 18 | St John Southworth RC Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Nelson · Primary · Ages 5–11 | Academy | 13.6 Lower 50% | 18% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 209 |
| 19 | Whitefield Infant School and Nursery Nelson · Primary · Ages 3–7 | Local authority | 9.5 Lower 50% | – | 336 |
Other schools in Nelson
Schools without a rank: fewer than 60 students, no published Pupils on roll, or a school type that is not scored.
Compare the top 4 schools in Nelson side by side →
Other places in North West
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- Rochdale(56)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best school in Nelson?
Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School is the highest-ranked school in Nelson with a Success Index (England) of 86.6 out of 100 (Top 10% of primary schools in England).
How many schools are in Nelson?
Nelson has 21 schools (18 primary, 3 secondary) educating 6,978 students in 2025.
What is the typical Pupils on roll in Nelson?
The median Pupils on roll across schools in Nelson is 312. Number of pupils in the latest school census.