Cartmel CofE Primary School

About Cartmel CofE Primary School

Cartmel CofE Primary School is a small Church of England primary in Westmorland and Furness, with just 49 pupils on roll against a capacity of 70, so there is plenty of physical space. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 8.2%, which is notably lower than the national average, suggesting a relatively affluent intake. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 20 applications for just 6 places, an oversubscription ratio of 3.33, and all 6 first-preference applicants were offered a place. This is a school that families clearly want to get into, and with a Church of England character, it may appeal particularly to local families who value that ethos. The school is mixed-gender and caters for children aged 4 to 11, with no nursery or sixth form provision.

Academically, the picture is mixed. In its most recent graded inspection, Ofsted rated the school Good overall, with Outstanding for behaviour and attitudes. However, the school's Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 are below the local authority average: just 30% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Westmorland and Furness average of 58%. Average scores in reading and maths were both 98, and no pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects. In the local authority rankings, Cartmel sits at 93rd out of 99 primary schools, placing it in the bottom 50 nationally. That said, the school's previous inspection in 2012 rated it Outstanding, and the most recent ungraded inspection in 2025 confirmed that standards are being maintained, so the dip in test scores may not tell the whole story.

The school offers a decent range of facilities for its size, including an ICT suite, music rooms, a gymnasium, sports hall, playing fields, and a chapel. Sports on offer include swimming, cross country, tennis and gymnastics, and there are clubs such as film, book, gardening and eco club. Parent views are overwhelmingly positive: 100% of respondents would recommend the school, and 86% strongly agreed that their child is happy there. The school has identified SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia and moderate learning difficulty, though no parents responded to the SEND support question in the Parent View survey. This is a school that suits families who prioritise a close-knit, community feel and strong pastoral care over top-tier academic results, and who are prepared to navigate a competitive admissions process.

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