Appleby Grammar School
Appleby-in-Westmorland, CA16 6XU · Westmorland and Furness · secondary school
Check the area around this school
16th of 20 secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 866 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2/10 among them, against 3.3/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 33.9 · 22 | 30% | 0.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.01 · 51 | 25% | 1.28 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.7 · 23 | 10% | 0.23 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Appleby Grammar School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.6 out of 10 among them, against 3.1 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Games Club and Warhammer. Sports include rugby, football, netball, gymnastics, trampolining, volleyball, handball, and athletics. Trips include watching tennis at Wimbledon, T20 Blast cricket at Old Trafford, Netball Superleague in Manchester, rugby at Newcastle Falcons, and a Ski Course in 2026. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 357 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. 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 improve their Attainment 8 scores relative to the national
What Ofsted said about Appleby Grammar School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders and governors share an "ambitious and unwavering commitment" to every pupil. New leadership has taken "decisive action to raise standards," with visible improvements in behaviour, attendance, and achievement. The inspection confirms that the school meets the expected standard across all evaluated areas, including safeguarding.
Strengths
- Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils, "typically achieve well" and are "well prepared for the next stages of their lives."
- A "calm learning environment" is maintained through a new values and rewards system, fostering "mutually respectful relationships" and positive attitudes.
- The curriculum is "broad and balanced" with subject plans designed so pupils can "build their knowledge in a logical way."
- Staff demonstrate "secure subject knowledge" and use questioning effectively to deepen understanding, while providing high-quality support for pupils with additional needs.
- Pupils feel "safe, happy and genuinely listened to," with bullying described as rare and concerns addressed promptly.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teachers use assessment information to "revisit any gaps in learning" so pupils remember what they have been taught more securely.
- Further work is needed to help a minority of pupils attend school more often, as persistent absence remains a focus.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.5 |
| 2024/25 | 40.7 |
| 2025/26 | 40.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of CA16 6XU, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT