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St Matthew's CofE School

Cumberland, CA7 3NTPrimaryAges 4–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Nov 2023
KS2 Results
75%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
10 1st-choice / 10 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#2573 of 13,686 nationally

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.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range4 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterChurch of England
AddressWestnewton, Wigton, Cumberland, CA7 3NT
HeadteacherHelen Harrison
Local AuthorityCumberland
Number of Pupils45
Free School Meals (FSM)4.4%
School Capacity45 / 56 (80% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, 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

28 Nov 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 22 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
ICT SuiteSensory RoomSports HallMusic RoomsPlaying FieldsGymnasiumOutdoor PlaygroundLibraryChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

11

Sports

AthleticsRoundersSwimmingNetballTennis

Clubs & Activities

Art ClubGardeningCodingFilm ClubChessChoir

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

SEND Support

DyslexiaMental HealthLearning Difficulty

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About St Matthew's CofE School

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