St Matthew's CofE School

About St Matthew's CofE School

St Matthew's CofE School is a small Church of England primary in Cumberland, currently teaching 45 pupils against a capacity of 56, so there is some room to grow. Its intake is notably less disadvantaged than the national picture: just 4.4% of pupils qualify for free school meals, compared with a typical primary average of around 23% across England. That said, the school is genuinely popular with local families. For 2025/26 entry, it received 14 applications for 10 places, with all 10 first-preference applicants offered a spot. The oversubscription ratio of 1.4 to 1 shows demand outstrips supply, but not by a huge margin — it's a sought-after village school rather than a frantic scramble. The school's Church of England character is woven into its facilities, which include a chapel, and it serves a mixed cohort from age 4 to 11. Helen Harrison is the headteacher.

Academically, St Matthew's performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 tests, 75% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Cumberland LA average of just 54%. That places the school 11th out of 111 primaries in the local authority, comfortably inside the top 25% nationally. Reading is a particular strength: the average scaled score was 113, and 63% of pupils achieved the higher standard — a strong result. Maths also impressed, with every pupil reaching the expected standard and an average score of 103. Writing was slightly lower, with 75% at expected and 13% at the higher level. Ofsted's most recent inspection in November 2023 rated the school Good across all categories, including behaviour, personal development and early years provision. The previous inspection in 2016 also awarded Good overall, so the school has maintained a consistent standard.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for its size, including a sports hall, gymnasium, playing fields, an ICT suite, a library and a sensory room. Sports on offer include athletics, netball, swimming and tennis, while clubs range from art and gardening to coding, film club and chess. For pupils with additional needs, the school has identified provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. With its small roll and strong academic outcomes, St Matthew's suits families who want a close-knit, church-affiliated primary where children are likely to exceed local benchmarks. The oversubscription means applying as a first preference is wise, but the numbers suggest a realistic chance of a place for those living nearby.

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