Clifton Primary School

About Clifton Primary School

Clifton Primary School is a small state primary in Westmorland and Furness, currently teaching 70 pupils against a capacity of 82, so it is running with some spare places. Its intake is notably less disadvantaged than the national picture: just 4.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with a typical national primary average of around 23%. That said, the school is clearly popular locally. For the 2025/26 admissions round, Clifton received 15 applications for just 4 places, an oversubscription ratio of 3.75 to one. All four first-preference applicants were offered a place, but with 11 other families applying, demand clearly outstrips supply. The school is mixed, non-religious, and serves children from age 3 through to 11, with nursery provision on site. Headteacher Nick Page leads a team that has kept the school at a Good Ofsted rating since at least 2013, with the most recent ungraded inspection in 2023 confirming it remains Good.

Academically, Clifton Primary performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 69% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Westmorland and Furness average of 58%. Reading was a particular strength: every single pupil met the expected standard, and 38% achieved a higher score. Maths was also strong, with 85% at expected and an average scaled score of 106. Writing was slightly lower, with 77% at expected and 15% at the higher level. The school ranks 28th out of 99 primaries in the local authority, placing it in the top 50 nationally for its combined RWM expected score. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds relative to starting points, but the raw outcomes are comfortably above the LA norm.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for its size, including a sports hall, library, art studios, music rooms and a chapel. Sports on offer include cross country, tennis, athletics and swimming, and there are clubs for drama, eco club and film club. For children with additional needs, the school has identified provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With its small roll, strong academic results and high local demand, Clifton Primary is best suited to families who want a tight-knit, high-performing village school and are prepared to compete for a place. The nursery provision also makes it a practical choice for parents looking for continuity from age three through to Year 6.

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