Newbarns Primary and Nursery School

About Newbarns Primary and Nursery School

Newbarns Primary and Nursery School sits in Westmorland and Furness, a local authority where the average Key Stage 2 score for primary schools is 58. The school itself doesn't publish its own KS2 results in the data we have, so a direct head-to-head comparison isn't possible. However, the school's most recent Ofsted inspection, in April 2025, rated it Good across the board, including for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision. This is a solid, consistent rating, though it represents a change from its previous inspection in 2013, when it was judged Outstanding overall. The school is clearly popular with local families: for the 2025/26 admissions round, it received 102 applications for just 52 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of nearly two applicants per place. Of those, 47 were first-preference applications, and all 47 received an offer.

Academically, the picture is one of strong parent satisfaction rather than standout headline metrics. The Parent View survey, based on 78 responses collected between September 2024 and September 2025, shows that 98% of parents either agree or strongly agree that their child is happy at the school, and 97% feel their child is safe. On the question of whether the school has high expectations for their child, 89% agreed or strongly agreed. The school's SEND provision covers a range of needs, including specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, and visual impairment. However, the Parent View data on SEND support is notably split: while 80% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that children with SEND get the support they need, 20% strongly disagreed, suggesting this is an area some families feel strongly about.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, art studios, an ICT suite, a gymnasium, a forest school, playing fields, and an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include gymnastics, swimming, cricket, and cross country, while clubs range from coding and book club to eco club, film club, and gardening. With a nursery provision for children aged three and above, it suits families looking for a single-site primary journey from nursery through to Year 6. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and has no religious character. Its oversubscription status means families applying from outside the immediate catchment area should be prepared for competition. For those seeking an Outstanding-rated alternative, the nearest such school is Yarlside Academy, just 1.1 kilometres away.

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