Bowness-on-Solway Primary School
Wigton, CA7 5AF · Cumberland · primary school
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27th 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 — 5.0/10 against 3,899 of them, against 5.2/10 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 | 75.0 · 78 | 40% | 3.11 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| 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.
Bowness-on-Solway Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 75.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared with 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 Good in June 2025. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (5.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Film Club, British Sign Language, and Mindfulness Activities, as well as Gymnastics. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 40 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 progress from the expected standard to the higher standard? What specific activities are included in the mindfulness sessions? How does the small class size influence individual teaching time?
What Ofsted said about Bowness-on-Solway Primary School
Overview
Bowness-on-Solway Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes a small, happy school where supportive relationships and pupil well-being are central to the experience. Leaders remain ambitious for all pupils, ensuring they are well-prepared for the next stage of their education.
Strengths
- Staff build supportive relationships with pupils, creating a warm and respectful environment where children enjoy learning, particularly outdoors.
- The curriculum is well-designed in many subjects, with teachers using effective questioning to address gaps and helping pupils talk confidently about their learning.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive timely identification and personalised support to access the same curriculum as their peers.
- Attendance rates are high, supported by effective measures for the few pupils who struggle to attend regularly.
- Staff feel valued by leaders and governors, describing the school community as being “like a family”.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure processes for recording and sharing safeguarding information are robust to provide clear oversight for leaders and governors.
- Staff need better support to help younger pupils build reading and writing knowledge, as some do not achieve as well as they should by the end of key stage 1 due to insufficient focus on key vocabulary and applying phonics to writing.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, though the school does not record some actions taken well enough, which impedes oversight.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 100% |
| 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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