Bassenthwaite Primary School

About Bassenthwaite Primary School

Bassenthwaite Primary School is a small state primary in Cumberland with just 23 pupils on roll, and its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated it Good overall, a grade it has held consistently across its previous inspections. While the school’s Key Stage 2 average score is not published in the available data, the local authority average for primary schools in Cumberland sits at 54, so parents will want to check individual pupil outcomes directly with the school. What stands out is the school’s oversubscription: for the 2025/26 intake, it received six applications for just three places, with all three first-preference families offered a spot. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 2:1, which is notable for a village school of this size and suggests strong local demand. The school also offers nursery provision for children aged three and up, making it a natural choice for families looking for continuity from early years through to Year 6.

Academically, the picture is mixed. The most recent graded Ofsted inspection dates from 2011, when the school was rated Good overall, with leadership and management and early years provision both judged Good. The 2022 ungraded inspection confirmed the school remains Good, though no detailed breakdown of quality of education, personal development, or behaviour was published. The school does not have published Progress 8 or KS2 SATs results in this data, so it is not possible to compare directly against the Cumberland average. However, the school’s small size means that individual pupil progress can vary significantly year on year. The Ofsted report from 2011 noted early years provision as Good, and the school has maintained that standard. For parents focused on academic metrics, it would be worth asking the school for its most recent KS2 outcomes and how they compare with the LA average of 54.

The school sits in a rural part of Cumberland and offers a range of facilities including an art studio, music rooms, an ICT suite, and a chapel, plus an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include cross country, cricket, gymnastics, and swimming, and there are clubs such as book club, drama, and choir. For children with additional needs, the school has stated provisions for moderate learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorder. With a capacity of 49 and only 23 pupils currently enrolled, there is physical space, but the oversubscription data suggests that popular year groups fill quickly. This school will particularly suit families who value a small, community-focused setting with a strong arts and music offer, and who are comfortable with a school where academic outcomes are not publicly benchmarked against the local average. The nursery provision is a bonus for families wanting a single setting from age three.

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