St Patrick's CofE School

About St Patrick's CofE School

St Patrick’s CofE School is a small Church of England primary in Westmorland and Furness, and its intake numbers tell an interesting story. With 96 pupils on roll against a capacity of 88, the school is technically over capacity, which reflects genuine local demand. That demand is confirmed by the admission data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 22 applications for 15 places, with all 15 first-preference families offered a spot, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.47. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 6.6%, notably lower than the national average of around 23% and well below the typical LA figure for primary schools, suggesting a relatively affluent catchment. The school also offers nursery provision for children aged two and up, which may help explain its popularity among local families seeking continuity from early years through to Year 6.

Academically, St Patrick’s performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 78% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Westmorland and Furness LA average of just 58%. That puts the school 9th out of 99 primary schools in the authority, comfortably in the top 10% regionally and nationally. Reading scores are particularly strong: every pupil (100%) met the expected standard, and 44% achieved the higher standard. Maths also impressed, with an average scaled score of 107 and 33% reaching the higher threshold. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in February 2024, confirmed it remains Good, with leadership and management also rated Good. This is a notable improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2014, when it was judged Requires Improvement, and the 2012 inspection before that also carried that lower rating.

The school’s facilities are generous for a primary of its size, including a sports hall, playing fields, a forest school area, an ICT suite, art studios and a chapel. Sports provision covers athletics, swimming, cross country, tennis, dance, cricket and netball, and there are clubs for coding, chess and science. SEND support is targeted at specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health challenges. With its strong academic results, oversubscribed places and Church of England character, St Patrick’s is likely to suit families who prioritise high attainment in a small, faith-based setting and who can secure a place early, ideally through the nursery route. The school’s popularity means it is not an easy option for late applicants, but for those who get in, the outcomes are consistently strong.

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