Barrow Island Community Primary School
80%
Capacity
168
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About Barrow Island Community Primary School
Barrow Island Community Primary School’s Key Stage 2 results sit well below the Westmorland and Furness local authority average, which is a significant point for parents to weigh up. The LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined is 58%, but at Barrow Island just 25% of pupils achieved that benchmark in the 2023/24 academic year. This places the school 96th out of 99 primary schools in the authority, and in the bottom 2% nationally. The picture is similarly stark in individual subjects: only 33% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, and 38% did so in both maths and writing. Higher-attaining pupils are also scarce, with just 4% achieving a high score in reading and maths, and none in writing. The average scaled scores of 96 in reading and 97 in maths are below the national average of 100, reinforcing the gap.
That said, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 judged it to be Good overall, with Good ratings for both leadership and management and behaviour and attitudes. This is a notable improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2014, when it was rated Requires Improvement, and the ungraded inspection in 2024 confirmed the school remains on a Good footing. With 168 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, the school is not full, and it was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, receiving 29 applications for 23 places, with all 23 first-preference applicants offered a spot. The school serves a relatively disadvantaged cohort, with 29.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and may partly explain the lower academic outcomes.
Facilities include a library, playing fields, a sensory room, a gymnasium and a sports hall, plus a chapel on site. The school offers a range of clubs such as gardening, film club, science club, drama and book club, and sports include athletics, rounders, dance and cross country. SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. For families prioritising strong academic results, this school may not be the strongest choice in the area, but for those who value a Good Ofsted rating, a supportive SEND framework and a school that has demonstrably improved its leadership, it could be a solid, community-focused option. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Victoria Academy, 2.7 km away.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Trinity Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Westmorland and Furness, LA14 2SJ |
| Headteacher | V R Evans |
| Local Authority | Westmorland and Furness |
| Number of Pupils | 168 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 29.8% |
| School Capacity | 168 / 210 (80% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
18 Apr 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (18 Apr 2024): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 17 Jun 2014. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (25%)
13446th of 13,686
Nationally
2023rd of 2,065
In North West
96th of 99
In Westmorland and Furness
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
25%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed23
29
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
23 families put this school as their 1st choice (79% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better 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
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British76.8%
- Asian4.8%
- Mixed3.6%
- White (other)0.6%
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.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
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.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
10
Total schools
8
Oversubscribed
9
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Barrow Island Community Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Trinity Street, Barrow-in-Furness
Westmorland and Furness, LA14 2SJ
Trinity Street, Barrow-in-Furness
Westmorland and Furness, LA14 2SJ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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