Marsden Heights Community College is a Secondary Academy serving the local community of Brierfield and Nelson, in Burnley, Lancashire. It is a popular and vibrant 11-16 secondary school at the heart of its local community, with over 1,050 pupils on roll.
Leaders have created an inclusive and caring school environment, with a strong focus on personal development and Education with Character. Students are respectful and behave well; lessons are calm and free from disruption.
We joined United Learning in November 2020 and in 2023, following rapid improvements, Marsden Heights was classified as Ofsted Good in all areas.
In terms of school performance, Marsden Heights’ GCSE results and pupil success are on an upward trajectory and our grades were the best in Pendle in both 2023 and 2024.
According to The Sunday Times Happiest Schools report, published in March 2023, Marsden Heights is one of the top five happiest schools in East Lancashire. Happiness and wellbeing is important to us to ensure pupils are engaged and inspired academically and personally, and 95% of Marsden Heights parents agree that their children are happy at our school (based on parent view analysis between 2020 and 2025.)