Ashfield Junior School
Workington, CA14 4ES · Cumberland · primary school
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87th of 119 primary schools in Cumberland we can score, 145 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.4/10 against 3,537 of them, against 3.8/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 62.0 · 44 | 40% | 1.74 |
| Ofsted | 3 | 35% | 0.10 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ashfield Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 62.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. A higher standard was reached by 3.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school "Requires improvement" in September 2024. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (3.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils access a breakfast club and an after-school club, participate in swimming, and attend a ski trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 254 pupils against a stated capacity of 256. 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 reach the higher standard in core subjects? What specific actions are being taken to address the "Requires improvement" rating?
What Ofsted said about Ashfield Junior School
Overview
Pupils are described as “happy and proud to belong to this welcoming school,” where they are “well behaved” and show consideration for others. However, the report states that the school “does not ensure that all pupils build up a secure body of knowledge in key areas, such as reading and mathematics,” leaving some “not prepared for their next stages of education as effectively as they could be.”
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from staff who are “always willing to listen to them and help them,” particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in the ‘Treetops’ provision.
- The school provides “high-quality opportunities” for wider development, including environmental projects, sports, and arts, helping pupils understand “the value of physical and mental well-being.”
- Staff and governors maintain “strong and positive relationships,” with staff appreciating the support they receive for their well-being.
- The specially resourced provision delivers a curriculum “closely matched to pupils’ needs,” ensuring pupils achieve well by securing knowledge before progressing.
Areas to improve
- The school lacks a “well-designed or organised reading curriculum,” causing inconsistency in learning and increased teacher workload; it must ensure teachers help all pupils build “secure reading knowledge.”
- Teachers in some subjects do not check understanding sufficiently before introducing new information; the school must ensure they “consistently identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge.”
- Oversight of the curriculum is variable, and governors do not provide sufficient challenge; the school must improve its ability to “accurately evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum” and hold itself to account.
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 | 52% |
| 2023/24 | 45% |
| 2024/25 | 62% |
| 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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