Ambleside CofE Primary School
Ambleside, LA22 9DH · Westmorland and Furness · primary school
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32nd of 108 primary schools in Westmorland and Furness we can score, 121 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 9.1/10 against 3,314 of them, against 8.5/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 75.0 · 78 | 40% | 3.11 |
| Ofsted | 3 | 35% | 0.10 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 25.0 · 96 | 25% | 2.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ambleside CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 75.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 25.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school "Requires improvement" in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the Young Voices Club and attend a breakfast club and after-school club. Trips include canoeing, climbing, orienteering, ghyll scrambling, a residential visit to Hadrian's Wall, and a residential trip to London.
Getting in
The published school roll is 52 pupils against a stated capacity of 140. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to maintain the higher standard in maths? What specific actions are being taken to address the "Requires improvement" rating? How do the outdoor trips integrate with the curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Ambleside CofE Primary School
Overview
Pupils enjoy attending this small school, where values such as "friendship and forgiveness" underpin positive relationships. While behaviour and personal development are strong, overall effectiveness requires improvement due to uneven achievement and gaps in knowledge in some subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils are "happy," feel "cared for and safe," and behave well with "positive attitudes to learning."
- The early years provision is "well-thought-out," leaving children "well prepared for key stage 1."
- Pupils excel in roles such as school councillors and benefit from outdoor activities that develop "resilience and teamworking skills."
- Effective systems identify additional needs, ensuring pupils with SEND receive support to access the same curriculum as peers.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must use assessment strategies with confidence to identify and tackle "gaps in pupils’ learning" caused by previous curriculum weaknesses.
- The school should gather and evaluate monitoring information effectively to address shortcomings in curriculum implementation.
- All staff require training to deliver the phonics programme effectively so pupils learn to read "confidently and fluently."
- Trustees and governors must gain clear oversight of education quality and "hold the school to account" for improvement actions.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 46% |
| 2023/24 | 73% |
| 2024/25 | 75% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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