Gosforth CofE Primary School

About Gosforth CofE Primary School

Parents considering Gosforth CofE Primary School will find a small, popular village school with strong signals of local approval. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 16 applications for just 6 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.67, meaning nearly three families applied for every available spot. All six first-preference applicants were offered a place, which suggests that for those who prioritise the school, it is a realistic choice. The school is a Church of England primary with 109 pupils on roll, well below its capacity of 140, so there is some physical room to grow. The headteacher is Leanne Long. While the data does not include a formal parent-view survey score, the level of demand indicates that local families hold the school in high regard.

Academically, Gosforth CofE Primary performs solidly above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Cumberland average of 54%. Reading was a particular strength, with 90% reaching the expected standard and 29% achieving a higher standard. Maths scores were also strong, with an average scaled score of 103 and 81% reaching the expected level. The school ranks 28th out of 111 primary schools in Cumberland, placing it in the top 25% of the local authority. Nationally, it sits in the top 40% of all primary schools. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2024, the school was rated Good across all five categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision, maintaining the same rating it held in its previous inspection in 2012.

The school offers a range of facilities including a library, music rooms, art studios, a dining hall, a sensory room and a chapel, alongside sports such as football, rounders, cricket, swimming, gymnastics, athletics and tennis. Clubs include chess, eco club, choir, art club and coding. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, hearing impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. With just 0.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the intake is notably less disadvantaged than many local schools. This is a small, church-affiliated primary that suits families seeking a close-knit, well-regarded village school with strong core academic results and a broad range of enrichment activities.

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