Culgaith CofE School

About Culgaith CofE School

Culgaith CofE School, a small Church of England primary in Westmorland and Furness, was rated Good by Ofsted in its most recent inspection in 2023, a rating it has held consistently since at least 2012. The inspection report singled out personal development as Outstanding, while quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision were all judged Good. On the key academic metric for primary schools — the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — 56% of Culgaith’s Year 6 pupils achieved that benchmark in the 2023/24 assessments. That figure sits just below the local authority average of 58% for similar schools, placing Culgaith 54th out of 99 primary schools in Westmorland and Furness. The school’s ranking score of 56 places it in the bottom half of primaries nationally, though the small cohort of just nine eligible pupils means individual results can shift the percentages significantly from year to year.

Looking more closely at the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, Culgaith’s pupils performed notably well in reading, with an average scaled score of 106 and 78% meeting the expected standard — 22% reached the higher standard. In maths, the average score was 102, with 78% at the expected level and 11% at the higher level. Writing saw 67% of pupils reach the expected standard and 11% achieve the higher standard. The combined expected standard figure of 56% is the headline metric used for national rankings, and it reflects a school where most children are meeting the expected benchmarks but where there is room to push more pupils into the higher attainment bands. With only 8.7% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively advantaged intake compared with the national average, which may partly explain the solid but not exceptional outcomes.

Culgaith is a genuinely small school, with just 52 pupils on roll against a capacity of 64, and it offers nursery provision for children from age three. The school is oversubscribed for Reception places in 2025/26, receiving 14 applications for 6 places, with all 6 first-preference offers taken up — an oversubscription ratio of 2.33. Facilities include a gymnasium, sports hall, playing fields, forest school area, library, dining hall, outdoor playground and a chapel. The school runs clubs in art, drama, film, book club and choir, and offers sports including netball, football, athletics, rounders, cross country, dance and gymnastics. SEND provision is listed for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia and hearing impairment. This is a school that will particularly suit families looking for a small, Church of England village primary with a strong emphasis on personal development and a wide range of extracurricular activities, set in a rural Cumbrian community.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Culgaith CofE School

Helpful Guides for Parents