Derwent Vale Primary and Nursery School
Workington, CA14 1WA · Cumberland · primary school
Check the area around this school
22nd 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 — 7.0/10 against 1,792 of them, against 5.7/10 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 | 67.0 · 57 | 40% | 2.28 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Derwent Vale Primary and Nursery School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 8.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in a School Council, swimming, a Colour Run, and Sports Day. Trips include visits to Fusion in Carlisle and a Foodbank Warehouse.
Getting in
The published school roll is 93 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 Council influence daily school decisions? What specific support is available for pupils aiming to reach the higher standard in maths? How does the school manage the transition from nursery to primary for new starters?
What Ofsted said about Derwent Vale Primary and Nursery School
Overview
Derwent Vale Primary and Nursery School is described as a “thriving and happy school” with a “very strong sense of community.” The inspection confirms that the school has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection,” where it was previously judged good for overall effectiveness.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate a “genuine love for learning” and “cooperate well when working together.”
- The school has designed an “ambitious curriculum” with “high expectations” for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- Staff are “adept at checking that pupils understand the important concepts” and skilfully adapt teaching to secure knowledge.
- There are “clear processes for identifying the needs of pupils with SEND,” allowing most to access the same curriculum as their peers.
- Governors “hold leaders to account to ensure the school continually improves,” and staff feel “very proud to work at the school.”
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure expectations for how pupils record their ideas are “consistent across the curriculum” so that pupils can “explain their learning clearly and securely.”
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 | 78% |
| 2023/24 | 65% |
| 2024/25 | 67% |
| 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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