Black Combe Junior School
Millom, LA18 5DT · Cumberland · primary school
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114th 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 — 1.4/10 against 2,068 of them, against 1.6/10 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 | 50.0 · 19 | 40% | 0.76 |
| Ofsted | 3 | 35% | 0.10 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Black Combe Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in September 2024. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 89 pupils against a stated capacity of 136. 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 plan to improve attainment in writing and maths following the 2024 inspection? What specific support is available for pupils who have not yet reached the expected standard? How does the school manage class sizes with the current intake?
What Ofsted said about Black Combe Junior School
Overview
Pupils enjoy attending the school, where they are greeted warmly and show mutual respect. While behaviour and personal development are strong, the overall quality of education requires improvement due to inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and insufficient support for early readers.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, listen carefully to one another, and strive to meet the school’s high expectations for achievement.
- Staff accurately identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and ensure they are fully involved in school life.
- The curriculum is ambitious and includes enriching experiences, such as residential trips and clubs, which help develop teamwork and nurture talents.
- Governors work closely with the school to offer sufficient challenge and support, while staff feel appreciated and supported with workload management.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure pupils at the early stages of learning to read receive appropriate support to overcome gaps in phonics knowledge and read with confidence.
- Leaders should develop stronger oversight of curriculum delivery to ensure staff receive the support needed to teach subject content consistently well across all classes.
- In some subjects, leaders must ensure staff are clear about what knowledge pupils should learn and when it should be taught to support long-term progress.
Safeguarding
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 | 19% |
| 2023/24 | 49% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| 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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