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Best primary schools in Cumberland

119 of 145 primary schools ranked by Met expected standard (RWM) · all Cumberland schools · secondary schools

Ranked on Met expected standard (RWM), 2024/25 — the most recent year each school has published. Official data, not our opinion — but the ranking is only as good as the measure, and a single number never describes a school.

119 of 145 rated Good or Outstanding
3 oversubscribed on first preference
10 Good or better and undersubscribed — the overlooked ones
Median Met expected standard (RWM): 56.0% (best 91.0%)

#	School	Met expected standard (RWM)	Ofsted	Places	Catchment
1	St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School Wigton	91.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
2	Stoneraise School Carlisle	90.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
3	Jericho Primary School Whitehaven	89.0%	Good declining	about even 1.03 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
4	Crosby-on-Eden CofE School Carlisle	88.0%	Good declining	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
5	Hayton CofE Primary School Brampton	88.0%	Not judged improving	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
6	Bridekirk Dovenby CofE Primary School Cockermouth	87.0%	Not judged improving	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
7	Fairfield Primary School Cockermouth	83.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
8	Shankhill CofE Primary School CARLISLE	83.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
9	Lanercost CofE Primary School Brampton	82.0%	Outstanding improving	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
10	Gosforth CofE Primary School and Nursery Seascale	81.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
11	Bookwell Primary School Egremont	80.0%	Outstanding improving	about even 0.96 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
12	Great Corby School and Nursery Carlisle	80.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
13	Moresby Primary School Whitehaven hidden gem	80.0%	Good improving	about even 0.93 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
14	Ennerdale and Kinniside CofE Primary School Cleator	78.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
15	Irthington Village School Carlisle	78.0%	Good	about even 1.12 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
16	Scotby CofE Primary School Carlisle hidden gem	78.0%	Good	about even 0.93 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
17	St Mary's Catholic Primary School Whitehaven	76.0%	Not judged improving	about even 0.95 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
18	Bowness-on-Solway Primary School Wigton	75.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
19	Wiggonby CofE School Wigton	75.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
20	Eaglesfield Paddle CofE Primary Academy Cockermouth	74.0%	Good	about even 1.07 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
21	St James' CofE Junior School Whitehaven	74.0%	Good	—	approximate
22	Thursby Primary School Carlisle	74.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
23	Cummersdale School Carlisle	73.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
24	Broughton Primary School Cockermouth	72.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
25	Castle Carrock School Brampton	70.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
26	Frizington Community Primary School Frizington	70.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
27	Raughton Head CofE School & Nursery Carlisle	70.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
28	St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Cleator Moor	70.0%	Good improving	about even 0.97 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
29	Belle Vue Primary School Carlisle	69.0%	Not judged declining	oversubscribed 1.2 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
30	St Mary's Catholic Primary School Workington	69.0%	Good declining	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
31	Houghton CofE School Carlisle hidden gem	68.0%	Good	undersubscribed 0.77 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
32	Longtown Primary School Carlisle hidden gem	68.0%	Good	about even 0.88 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
33	Yewdale School Carlisle	68.0%	Good	about even 0.93 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
34	Derwent Vale Primary and Nursery School Workington	67.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
35	Lorton School Cockermouth	67.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
36	Plumbland CofE School Wigton	67.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
37	Rosley CofE School Wigton	67.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
38	Beckstone Primary School Workington	65.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
39	St James' Catholic Primary School millom	64.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
40	Westfield Nursery and Primary School Workington	64.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
41	Kirkbampton CofE School Carlisle hidden gem	63.0%	Good declining	undersubscribed 0.8 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
42	Ashfield Junior School Workington	62.0%	Requires improvement improving	—	approximate
43	St Bridget's Catholic Primary School Egremont	62.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
44	St Bees Village Primary School St Bees	61.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
45	Upperby Primary School Carlisle	61.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
46	Brampton Primary School Brampton	60.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
47	Kingmoor Junior School Carlisle	60.0%	Good	—	approximate
48	St Cuthberts Catholic Primary School, Carlisle Carlisle	60.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
49	Thornhill Primary School Egremont	60.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
50	Norman Street Primary School Carlisle	59.0%	Good improving	about even 0.97 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
51	Richmond Hill School Wigton	59.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
52	Warwick Bridge Primary School Carlisle	59.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
53	Dearham Primary School Maryport	58.0%	Not judged	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
54	Rockcliffe CofE School Carlisle	58.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
55	St Bede's Catholic Primary School Carlisle	57.0%	Not judged	about even 0.91 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
56	St Matthew's CofE School Wigton	57.0%	Good improving	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
57	Arlecdon Primary School FRIZINGTON	56.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
58	Caldew Lea School Carlisle hidden gem	56.0%	Good	about even 0.93 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
59	Oughterside Primary School Wigton	56.0%	Good improving	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
60	St Michael's CofE Primary School Wigton	56.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
61	Newtown Primary School Carlisle	55.0%	Not judged	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
62	Seascale Primary School Seascale	55.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
63	Stanwix School Carlisle	55.0%	Good	about even 0.94 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
64	Moor Row Community Primary School Moor Row	54.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
65	Our Lady and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Maryport Maryport	54.0%	Not judged	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
66	St Herbert's CofE (VA) Primary and Nursery School Keswick	54.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
67	Wreay Church of England Primary School Carlisle	54.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
68	St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Workington	53.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
69	Flimby Primary School Maryport	52.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
70	Pennine Way Primary School Carlisle	51.0%	Good improving	about even 0.98 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
71	Beckermet CofE School Beckermet	50.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
72	Black Combe Junior School Millom	50.0%	Requires improvement declining	—	approximate
73	Burgh by Sands School Carlisle	50.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
74	Haverigg Primary School Millom	50.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
75	Hensingham Primary School Whitehaven	50.0%	Good	about even 0.94 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
76	Lowca Community School Whitehaven	50.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
77	Newlaithes Junior School Carlisle	50.0%	Good	—	approximate
78	Petteril Bank School Carlisle	50.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
79	Ewanrigg Junior School Maryport	48.0%	Not judged	—	approximate
80	Cumwhinton School Carlisle	47.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
81	St Begh's Catholic Junior School Whitehaven	47.0%	Good declining	—	approximate
82	St Bridget's CofE School Cockermouth	47.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
83	St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Workington Workington	47.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
84	Inglewood Junior School Carlisle	46.0%	Good	—	approximate
85	Orgill Primary School Egremont	46.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
86	Thomlinson Junior School Wigton	46.0%	Not judged improving	—	approximate
87	Boltons CofE School Wigton	45.0%	Not judged	about even 1.07 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
88	Dean CofE School Workington	45.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
89	Maryport CofE Primary School Maryport	45.0%	Good improving	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
90	St Michael's CofE Primary School Carlisle	45.0%	Good declining	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
91	Bransty Primary School Whitehaven	44.0%	Good	about even 0.94 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
92	Brook Street Primary School Carlisle	43.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
93	The Bishop Harvey Goodwin School (Church of England Voluntary Aided) Carlisle	43.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
94	Waberthwaite CofE School Millom	43.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
95	Seaton St. Paul's CofE Junior School Workington	42.0%	Good	—	approximate
96	Monkwray Junior School Whitehaven	41.0%	Good	—	approximate
97	St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle Carlisle	41.0%	Not judged	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
98	Great Orton Primary School Carlisle hidden gem	40.0%	Good	about even 0.88 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
99	Hallbankgate Village School Brampton	38.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
100	Kirkbride Primary School Wigton	38.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
101	Robert Ferguson Primary School Carlisle	38.0%	Good improving	about even 0.98 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
102	Silloth Primary School Wigton	38.0%	Outstanding improving	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
103	Braithwaite CofE Primary School Keswick	36.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
104	St Bridget's CofE School Whitehaven	36.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
105	Valley Primary School and Nursery Whitehaven hidden gem	36.0%	Good	about even 0.89 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
106	Fir Ends Primary School Brampton	33.0%	Good	about even 1.13 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
107	Gilsland CofE Primary School Brampton	33.0%	Good improving	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2024/25	approximate
108	Montreal CofE Primary School Cleator Moor	33.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
109	Northside Primary School Workington	30.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
110	Blennerhasset School Wigton	29.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
111	Holme St Cuthbert School Maryport	29.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
112	Thwaites School Millom	29.0%	Not judged declining	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
113	Victoria Junior School Workington	29.0%	Not judged	—	approximate
114	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Frizington	25.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
115	Crosscanonby St John's CofE School Maryport	18.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
116	Blackford CofE Primary School Carlisle	13.0%	Not judged	oversubscribed 1.25 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
117	Holm Cultram Abbey CofE Primary School Wigton	10.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
118	Distington Community School Workington	9.0%	Good	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate
119	Fellview Primary School Wigton	0.0%	Not judged	about even 1.0 first prefs per place, 2026/27	approximate

Also in Cumberland

26 further primary schools with no published Met expected standard (RWM) for the latest year — usually too small a cohort to report, newly opened, or a special school. Listed because leaving them out would make this a misleading picture of Cumberland, not a fairer one.

All Saints' CofE School Ofsted: Not judged
Allonby Primary School Ofsted: Good
Ashfield Infant & Nursery School Ofsted: Outstanding
Bassenthwaite Primary School Ofsted: Good hidden gem
Bewcastle School Ofsted: Good
Borrowdale CofE Primary School Ofsted: Good hidden gem
Broughton Moor Primary School Ofsted: Requires improvement
Captain Shaw's CofE School Ofsted: Good
Ellenborough Academy Ofsted: Good
Grasslot Infant School Ofsted: Good
Inglewood Infant School Ofsted: Good
Ireby CofE School Ofsted: Good
Kells Infant School Ofsted: Not judged
Kingmoor Nursery and Infant School Ofsted: Good
Kirkland Church of England Academy Ofsted: Good
Millom Infant School Ofsted: Inadequate
Netherton Infant School Ofsted: Good
Newlaithes Infant School Ofsted: Good
Seaton Academy Ofsted: Requires improvement
St Bega's CofE Primary School Ofsted: Not judged
St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant School Ofsted: Good
St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School Ofsted: Good
St Michael's Nursery and Infant School Ofsted: Good
Victoria Infant and Nursery School Ofsted: Not judged
Walton & Lees Hill CofE School Ofsted: Not judged
Wigton Nursery and Infant School Ofsted: Good

Applying in Cumberland

Knowing which school is best is only half of it — these are the deadlines that decide whether you can apply at all.

Secondary application deadline 2026-10-31 · 2027 entry Secondary Common Application Form (CAF) deadline for September 2027 entry (Year 7). National statutory deadline 31 October 2026; apply via your home local authority. Selective/grammar registration, if any, is a separate earlier deadline.
Primary (Reception) application deadline 2027-01-15 · 2027 entry Primary (Reception) application deadline for September 2027 entry. National statutory deadline 15 January 2027; apply via your home local authority.
Secondary National Offer Day 2027-03-01 · 2027 entry Secondary National Offer Day for September 2027 entry — state school Year 7 place offers (1 March).
Primary National Offer Day 2027-04-16 · 2027 entry Primary National Offer Day for September 2027 entry — Reception place offers (16 April).
Secondary application deadline 2027-10-31 · 2028 entry Secondary Common Application Form (CAF) deadline for September 2028 entry (Year 7). National statutory deadline 31 October 2027; apply via your home local authority. Selective/grammar registration, if any, is a separate earlier deadline.
Primary (Reception) application deadline 2028-01-15 · 2028 entry Primary (Reception) application deadline for September 2028 entry. National statutory deadline 15 January 2028; apply via your home local authority.

Rankings compare published results. They do not tell you which school your child will get into — that depends on where you live, sibling and faith priority, and how many people apply this year. Ask below, or check the Cumberland admission criteria.

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