John Ruskin School
Coniston, LA21 8EW · Westmorland and Furness · secondary school
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7th of 20 secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 520 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2/10 among them, against 5.4/10 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% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 37.5 · 31 | 30% | 0.93 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.5 · 84 | 25% | 2.10 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.0 · 50 | 10% | 0.50 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
John Ruskin School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in May 2025. In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.5 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.8 out of 10 among them, against 7.4 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 247 pupils against a stated capacity of 230. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the school maintain its Good rating while addressing the gap in similar-intake attainment?
What Ofsted said about John Ruskin School
Overview
This ungraded inspection found that the school’s work “may have improved significantly across all areas” since its previous graded inspection, prompting a future graded review. The report describes a school where pupils are “courteous and kind-hearted” and achieve “exceptionally well” within an “aspirational culture.” Leaders have fostered a “high-performance environment” where staff expertise and a tailored curriculum drive strong outcomes for all learners.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate “exemplary” behaviour and act as “first-rate ambassadors” for the school.
- Staff deliver an “ambitious curriculum” with “high level of expertise,” ensuring pupils build a “deep body of knowledge.”
- The school identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) with “accuracy” and provides effective, collaborative support.
- A strong focus on communication skills helps pupils become “confident and eloquent readers” who use technical vocabulary accurately.
- Governors have a “detailed understanding” of performance, contributing to a culture where “everyone is valued.”
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.4 |
| 2024/25 | 52.9 |
| 2025/26 | 46.0 |
| 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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