Robert Ferguson Primary School
Carlisle, CA2 5LA · Cumberland · primary school
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83rd 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 — 0.9/10 against 2,924 of them, against 1.3/10 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 | 38.0 · 7 | 40% | 0.27 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Robert Ferguson Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 38.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join football, dance, gymnastics, and rock climbing clubs, or take part in squash, boccia, swimming, and Panathlon. The school also organises trips to Hawes End outdoor center and provides an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 409 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 core subjects? What specific strategies are used to help students progress from the expected to the higher standard? How does the school manage the transition for children joining in the current academic year?
What Ofsted said about Robert Ferguson Primary School
Overview
Robert Ferguson Primary School continues to be a good school, where most pupils achieve well due to high expectations and well-designed curriculums. Pupils enjoy their learning, behave well, and show kindness towards each other, with leaders ensuring that unkind behaviour is addressed swiftly. The school provides a broad range of experiences, including extra-curricular activities, and staff are supported through meaningful training and consideration of workload.
Strengths
- Leaders have ensured subject curriculums are "ambitious" and provide a "rich set of experiences" for all pupils, including those in the early years.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" which they use successfully to help pupils "know and remember more," resulting in a strong start for early years and good preparation for secondary school.
- Leaders have "prioritised the teaching of reading," ensuring all staff are fully trained and that pupils access "high-quality fiction and non-fiction books."
- Staff successfully teach pupils to behave well, meaning "learning is rarely interrupted" and low-level disruption is dealt with effectively.
- Leaders are "quick to identify the needs of pupils with SEND" and provide appropriate support to ensure they access the full curriculum.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, leaders have not set out the "key knowledge" pupils should learn, meaning teachers are less clear about what to teach and some pupils do not deepen their knowledge as well as they should.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders establishing a "strong safeguarding culture" where staff raise concerns swiftly and work effectively with families and agencies to ensure pupils are safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 45% |
| 2023/24 | 59% |
| 2024/25 | 38% |
| 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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