Bacup Nursery School
N/A
Capacity
77
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Bacup Nursery School
Bacup Nursery School holds the highest possible Ofsted rating — Outstanding — and has done so consistently across both its most recent graded inspections. In the 2022 inspection, every single category assessed was judged Outstanding: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The previous inspection in 2014 also awarded the top grade for overall effectiveness, early years provision, and leadership. This puts the school in an elite group: of the 24 state nursery schools in Lancashire, only eight currently hold an Outstanding rating. The nearest other Outstanding nursery is Staghills, about four kilometres away. For a nursery serving just 77 children aged two to five, this level of consistency is striking. It suggests a setting where the fundamentals — teaching quality, child development support, and staff leadership — are working in close alignment.
Because Bacup Nursery School caters exclusively to early years children, there are no Key Stage 2 SATs, Progress 8 scores, or A-Level results to examine. The most informative metric is the Ofsted breakdown itself, which offers a rare level of detail for a nursery. The 2022 inspection report (published in September 2022) rated quality of education as Outstanding, meaning the curriculum is carefully designed to help very young children build knowledge and skills from their starting points. Personal development and behaviour were also Outstanding, which points to strong support for children’s social and emotional growth. The school’s SEND provisions specifically target speech, language and communication needs, as well as social, emotional and mental health — areas that often require early intervention. Without standardised test data, the Ofsted judgement is the most reliable indicator of academic and developmental outcomes here.
The school offers a range of facilities that support its early years focus: an outdoor playground, a sensory room, a forest school area, a dining hall, and even a chapel. Sports provision includes dance and swimming, and there is a book club for children. These extras are unusual for a small nursery and suggest a setting that values varied experiences. Bacup Nursery is a state-funded, mixed-gender nursery with no boarding, and it does not have a religious character. Its headteacher is Andrea E Cooper. For families in Rossendale looking for a nursery place from age two, this school stands out for its sustained Outstanding record and its targeted SEND support. It is likely to appeal particularly to parents who want a strong early years foundation in a small, well-regarded setting, and who value outdoor and sensory learning opportunities alongside core early education.
Key Details
| School Type | Nursery (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 5 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Cowtoot Lane, Bacup, Rossendale, OL13 8EF |
| Headteacher | Andrea E Cooper |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 77 |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Jun 2022Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Source: Ofsted, 21 Sept 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
3Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British87.0%
- Asian3.9%
- Mixed2.6%
- White (other)1.3%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
6
Total schools
5
Oversubscribed
5
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bacup Nursery School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
School Open Days Calendar 2026/27
When open days happen and what to look for
Contact Information
Cowtoot Lane, Bacup
Rossendale, OL13 8EF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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