Pendle Vale College is a mainstream secondary school in Nelson, Lancashire, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 121 of its 1,046 pupils (11.6%) were getting SEN support and 44 (4.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 1,046 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Lancashire.
11.6% get SEN support
121 of 1,046 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.2% have an EHC plan
44 of 1,046 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism57
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia53
- Speech, language and communication13
- Moderate learning difficulty8
- Hearing impairment6
- Physical disability6
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Council-run school
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,046 (places for 1,050)
- Headteacher
- Mr Oliver Handley
- Free school meals
- 37.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Lancashire
- School reference (URN)
- 134989
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Lancashire council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Report card, February 2026: Expected standard in every area
Inspected in February 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, November 2021).
Contact and getting there
Oxford Road, Nelson, BB9 8LF
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Pendle Community High School & College Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.0 miles
- Pendle View Primary School Special school · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.2 miles
- Barrowford School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.1 miles
- Barden Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Roman Catholic High School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 13.4%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.2 miles
- Castercliff Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 14.2%, EHC plans 3.9% 0.2 miles
- Colne Primet Academy Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 19%, EHC plans 3.9% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Lancashire SEND schools in Lancashire
Questions about Pendle Vale College
How many pupils at Pendle Vale College have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 121 of the 1,046 pupils (11.6%) were getting SEN support and 44 (4.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Pendle Vale College?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (57 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (53 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (13 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Pendle Vale College?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Pendle Vale College?
Through Lancashire council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Pendle Vale College?
You can ask for Pendle Vale College to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Pendle Vale College have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Barrowford School, about 1.1 miles away.
Where is Pendle Vale College?
Oxford Road, Nelson, BB9 8LF, in Lancashire.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.