Classpot

Dowdales School

Westmorland and Furness, LA15 8AHSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Feb 2025
Progress 8
-0.29
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
168 1st-choice / 189 places
Ranking
#2,222
of 3,141 nationally

About Dowdales School

Dowdales School is a mixed 11-16 secondary in Westmorland and Furness, currently home to 827 pupils against a capacity of 1,050, so there is some room to grow. The proportion of students eligible for free school meals stands at 20.1%, a figure that gives a clear sense of the school's intake in a local authority where the average Progress 8 score sits at -0.12. Demand is strong: for the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 374 applications for 189 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.98, with 168 first-preference offers made. That level of interest suggests Dowdales is a popular choice among local families, even if it isn't the highest-ranked school in the area. The headteacher is Emma Aubrey, and the school has no religious character, no sixth form, and no nursery provision.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressDalton-in-Furness, Westmorland and Furness, LA15 8AH
HeadteacherEmma Aubrey
Local AuthorityWestmorland and Furness
Number of Pupils827
Free School Meals (FSM)20.1%
School Capacity827 / 1,050 (79% full)

The full report on this school

What 117 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

5 Feb 2025
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Latest monitoring visit (5 Feb 2025): Standards maintained

Source: Ofsted, 10 Sept 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
LibraryICT SuiteSixth Form CentreTennis CourtsSwimming PoolScience LabsGymnasiumPlaying FieldsChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

RugbyRoundersCricketTennisAthleticsRowingCross CountryBadminton

Clubs & Activities

DebateOrchestraChessArt ClubFilm ClubScience ClubYoung EnterpriseModel United NationsDuke of EdinburghNewspaper

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:50 – 15:25

Source: dowdalesschool.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dowdales School

Dowdales School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.