Pendle Community High School & College

Pendle Community High School & College continues to demonstrate outstanding performance since its last inspection. The school places a strong emphasis on supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they thrive within a nurturing and ambitious learning environment. The curriculum is meticulously designed to meet the varied needs of all students, promoting both academic success and personal development. The inclusive atmosphere fosters kindness and support among peers, contributing to a positive school culture. The school has implemented effective strategies for teaching communication and reading, which significantly benefit pupils, particularly those who are non-verbal or have complex learning challenges. Strong leadership, a dedicated staff team, and an experienced governing body all work collaboratively to maintain high standards and prepare students well for adulthood. Through a range of extracurricular activities and robust careers guidance, pupils are equipped with essential life skills and successfully transition to positive post-school destinations.

Strengths

• The school has a highly ambitious curriculum that challenges all pupils.
• Pupils achieve exceptionally well across all subjects.
• Personalised and sensitive support is provided to meet individual needs.
• Strong emphasis on communication and reading skills for all pupils.
• Effective implementation of a new phonics programme with positive outcomes.
• The school environment promotes positive behaviour and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional provision for wider personal development including extensive extracurricular activities.
• Comprehensive careers advice leading to positive post-school destinations.
• Supportive and collaborative school leadership and governing body.

In 2024–25 pupils at Pendle Community High School & College attended 90.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 34.5% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 2.5% of pupils at Pendle Community High School & College were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Pendle Community High School & College had 9.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 24.6% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Pendle Community High School & College had 166 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Pendle Community High School & College received £29,950 and spent £31,135 for each of its 166 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £360,000 (£2,171 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Nelson · Lancashire local authority: places and applications

What is Pendle Community High School & College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Pendle Community High School & College is Outstanding, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Pendle Community High School & College last inspected by Ofsted?

Pendle Community High School & College was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Pendle Community High School & College have?

Pendle Community High School & College has 166 pupils on roll.

What age range does Pendle Community High School & College cover?

Pendle Community High School & College for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Pendle Community High School & College?

Pendle Community High School & College is at Oxford Road, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 8LF.