Caldew School
Carlisle, CA5 7NN · Cumberland · secondary school
Check the area around this school
10th of 19 secondary schools in Cumberland we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 886 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.4/10 among them, against 2.0/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.83 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 23.2 · 6 | 30% | 0.18 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.19 · 36 | 25% | 0.89 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.5 · 22 | 10% | 0.22 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Caldew School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 38.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.19 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse 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 1.6 out of 10 among them, against 3.7 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Technology and School Council clubs, play Football, Rugby, Hockey, Netball or Athletics, and participate in LAMDA and Young Writers. Breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 990 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 Progress 8 scores? What specific steps are taken to raise Attainment 8 towards the national median? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Caldew School
Overview
Caldew School is described as a welcoming community where pupils and students feel "well supported, happy and safe." Leaders have made "significant progress" since the previous inspection, establishing a "broad and ambitious curriculum" that ensures pupils achieve well and are prepared for their next steps.
Strengths
- There are "high levels of trust and respect" between pupils, students, and staff, with behaviour described as good and disruptions to learning as "rare."
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with effective assessment strategies ensuring pupils know and remember key knowledge.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including those in the specially resourced autism provision, are "included in all aspects of school life" and achieve well.
- Leaders provide "effective careers guidance" and have created systems to improve attendance, using support from external agencies when needed.
- Governors provide "appropriate challenge" to leaders, and staff feel "well supported and listened to."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure staff receive training to support key stage 4 pupils who struggle with reading, as current support is not as effective as in earlier key stages.
- Leaders should develop a more structured personal development programme for sixth-form students, including coverage of relationships, health, and sex education.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting a "very strong culture of safeguarding" with clear systems to record concerns and keep staff alert to risks.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.4 |
| 2024/25 | 44.3 |
| 2025/26 | 40.5 |
| 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
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