Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Dalton-In-Furness

About Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Dalton-In-Furness

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School in Dalton-In-Furness is a small state primary with a strong local demand. With 102 pupils against a capacity of 105, it is effectively full, and its 2025/26 admissions data shows it was oversubscribed: 19 applications for 13 places, with all 13 first-preference offers accepted. That oversubscription ratio of 1.46 signals a school that local families actively seek out. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 21.1%, which is above the national average for primary schools, suggesting the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. The school is Roman Catholic by character, though its intake is mixed, and it offers nursery provision for children from age two. Bernadette Charnley is the headteacher, and the school sits within the Westmorland and Furness local authority.

Academically, the school's most recent Ofsted inspection in 2016 rated it Good overall, with Good leadership and management. The previous inspection in 2012 also rated it Good, so the school has maintained a consistent standard. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 53% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is below the local authority average of 58% and places the school 64th out of 99 primaries in Westmorland and Furness. Individual subject scores are more mixed: 73% reached the expected standard in both reading and maths, and 67% in writing. However, the proportion reaching the higher standard is low — 20% in reading, 7% in maths, and none in writing. Average scaled scores of 104 in both reading and maths are in line with national averages, so while the school is not among the highest-performing locally, it delivers solid, mid-range outcomes.

The school offers a decent range of facilities including playing fields, a sports hall, an ICT suite and a chapel, plus clubs such as gardening, coding, eco club and science club. Sports on offer include football, athletics, tennis, dance, cricket and cross country. For SEND, the school lists provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language needs, visual impairment and physical disability. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary is George Romney Junior School, 0.6 km away, which may be a consideration for families prioritising a higher Ofsted grade. This school will suit families who value a small, faith-based community school that is oversubscribed and serves a diverse intake, with consistent Good ratings and a broad extracurricular offer despite modest academic rankings.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Dalton-In-Furness

Helpful Guides for Parents