Captain Shaw's CofE School

About Captain Shaw's CofE School

Captain Shaw's CofE School is a small Church of England primary in Cumberland, one of 144 state primary schools in the local authority. It sits below the area's top-performing peers — Jericho Primary School, Irthington Village School, and Shankhill CofE Primary School — but has carved out a distinct identity as a Good-rated school with an Outstanding mark for behaviour and attitudes. With just 32 pupils against a capacity of 56, it is one of the smallest primaries in the region, and its 23.1 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals is slightly above the national average. The school is led by headteacher Terentius Jackson and serves children aged 4 to 11. Its Church of England character is reflected in the on-site chapel, and the school's recent Ofsted inspection in October 2023 marked a clear improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2019.

Academically, the school has made notable progress. In its most recent Ofsted inspection, every area was rated Good or better, with behaviour and attitudes achieving Outstanding. The quality of education, early years provision, personal development, and leadership and management all received Good ratings. This is a significant step up from the previous inspection, where quality of education, early years provision, and leadership were all graded as Requires Improvement. While specific KS2 SATs results are not available in the data, the local authority average for KS2 attainment sits at 54, providing a benchmark for context. The school's small size means class sizes are very small, which can allow for targeted support. The school has specific SEND provisions for pupils with dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, and autistic spectrum disorder, suggesting a focus on inclusive education.

The school offers a practical range of facilities including an ICT suite, library, music rooms, sensory room, and outdoor playground. Sports provision is broad for a school of this size, with tennis, gymnastics, swimming, netball, cricket, rounders, and athletics available. Clubs include science, drama, choir, chess, eco club, and gardening. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school offered 6 places and received exactly 6 applications, all of which were first-preference offers, meaning the school was not oversubscribed. This makes it a realistic option for families who want a small, Church of England primary with strong pastoral care and a recent track record of improvement. It would particularly suit parents looking for a school with a sensory room and dedicated SEND support, or those who value the small community feel that comes with a 32-pupil roll.

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