Crosthwaite CofE School

About Crosthwaite CofE School

Crosthwaite CofE School holds an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained since its most recent graded inspection in 2017, and an ungraded inspection in 2023 confirmed the school continues to meet that high standard. The most telling academic metric for this small primary is its Key Stage 2 combined reading, writing and maths expected standard score: 67% of pupils reached this benchmark in the 2023/24 academic year. That figure sits comfortably above the Westmorland and Furness local authority average of 58%, placing Crosthwaite in the top third of all primary schools in the area. The school ranks 33rd out of 99 primary schools in the LA, and 745th out of 2,065 in the North West region. With only 101 pupils on roll, these results reflect a focused, small-school environment where individual progress is closely tracked.

Digging deeper into the 2023/24 KS2 results, Crosthwaite shows particular strength in writing, where 93% of pupils met the expected standard and 13% reached the higher standard. Reading also performed well, with 73% at expected and 40% at the higher threshold, while maths saw 87% at expected and 13% at the higher level. The average scaled scores — 107 in reading and 105 in maths — are solid. Ofsted’s breakdown is equally impressive: leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all received Outstanding grades, with the early years specifically rated Outstanding in the most recent inspection. The school has no Progress 8 data available, but the combination of high expected standards and strong Ofsted judgments paints a picture of consistent, effective teaching across the board.

Crosthwaite is a Church of England primary for children aged 3 to 11, with a nursery on site. It is oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 17 applications for 12 places, with all 12 first-preference offers accepted. The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, art studios, a sports hall, a sensory room, and a chapel. Sports include cross country, football, cricket, athletics, and dance, while clubs range from film club and drama to choir and eco club. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication support. This is a school that suits families who value strong academic foundations within a small, church-affiliated setting, and who are prepared for the competition for places that comes with its strong local reputation.

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