Pendle Vale College
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 10 February 2026
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 42.5 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 32% | 44% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 54% | 64% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 52% | 59% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 49% | 34% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 205 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,046
- Capacity
- 1,050
- Girls / boys
- 44% / 56%
- Free school meals
- 38%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 67.5
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 22.4
- Leadership (FTE)
- 8
- Part-time teachers
- 14%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
59%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
36%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
32 responses up to 6 April 2026 · 3% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
53% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
66% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
66% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
29% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
30% agree
Questions about Pendle Vale College
What is Pendle Vale College's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected Pendle Vale College on 10 February 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Expected standard for achievement, for curriculum and teaching, for inclusion, for leadership and governance, for personal development and wellbeing and for attendance and behaviour.
How do I apply for a place at Pendle Vale College?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if Pendle Vale College is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day.
Does living near Pendle Vale College guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when Pendle Vale College has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by the local authority, Lancashire, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at Pendle Vale College?
Pendle Vale College had 1,046 pupils aged 11 to 16 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,050. It is a mixed school with no sixth form, so students move on at 16.
Nearby secondary schools
Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Roman Catholic High School
Voluntary aided school
0.4 miles away
Colne Primet Academy
Academy sponsor led
0.5 miles away
Marsden Heights Community College
Academy sponsor led
1.6 miles away
Colne Park High School
Academy converter
2.2 miles away
Sir John Thursby Community College
Foundation school
2.9 miles away