Caldew Lea School
Carlisle, CA2 7BE · Cumberland · primary school
Check the area around this school
48th 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.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.5/10 against 2,170 of them, against 3.8/10 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 | 56.0 · 30 | 40% | 1.18 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Caldew Lea School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 56.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 273 pupils against a stated capacity of 300. 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 who are below the expected standard in literacy? What does a typical day look like for a child in Year 6? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2024 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Caldew Lea School
Overview
Pupils “flourish” at this school, contributing to a “calm and welcoming atmosphere” where they “care deeply for each other.” The inspection highlights an “ambitious curriculum” and “high expectations” that support strong personal development and behaviour, although recent curriculum changes in some subjects have temporarily impacted depth of knowledge.
Strengths
- Pupils display “Outstanding” behaviour and attitudes, taking “great pride in behaving well” and respecting each other’s views.
- Personal development is “Outstanding,” with pupils gaining a “secure understanding of fundamental British Values” and learning to care for their physical and mental health.
- Staff use subject knowledge “expertly” to identify learning gaps, providing “tailored support” that helps pupils with SEND and English as an additional language access the full curriculum.
- Reading provision is strong, with staff delivering the phonics programme “consistently well” and ensuring books “match the sounds that they already know.”
- The school offers a “rich range of activities,” including clubs and educational visits, which make an “impressive contribution to their wider development.”
Areas to improve
- The school should ensure that recently implemented curriculums in a “small number of subjects” are “fully embedded” so pupils develop sufficient depth of knowledge.
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 | 37% |
| 2023/24 | 64% |
| 2024/25 | 56% |
| 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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