St Begh's Catholic Junior School
Whitehaven, CA28 7TE · Cumberland · primary school
Check the area around this school
76th 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 — 1.7/10 against 2,024 of them, against 1.8/10 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 | 47.0 · 15 | 40% | 0.60 |
| 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.
St Begh's Catholic Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 47.0% 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 (1.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 240 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 maths? What specific steps are taken to raise attainment to the national median? How does the school ensure that the Good Ofsted rating is maintained in daily practice?
What Ofsted said about St Begh's Catholic Junior School
Overview
St Begh’s Catholic Junior School continues to be a good school, providing a "nurturing environment" where pupils feel "happy, safe and secure." The institution fosters a strong sense of pride and offers a "well-designed curriculum" that supports pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to achieve consistently well.
Strengths
- The school has created an "ambitious curriculum" with carefully designed learning activities that build on prior knowledge and prepare pupils for the next stage.
- Staff have "high expectations of pupils learning" and use assessment information to quickly address gaps in knowledge.
- There are "effective processes" to identify and support pupils with SEND, ensuring they can fully access the curriculum.
- The reading curriculum is effective for the majority, with a strong focus on vocabulary and comprehension, and pupils show a "high level of understanding" of diverse texts.
- Leaders have taken staff workload seriously, reviewing assessment systems to ensure feedback does not create an "extra burden."
Areas to improve
- The school must develop a "consistent approach to teaching phonics" for pupils at the early stages of learning to read, as some do not catch up as quickly as they should.
- The school should enhance its enrichment offer to provide a "sufficiently broad range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities," helping pupils develop wider talents and knowledge of modern Britain beyond their immediate community.
Safeguarding
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 | 65% |
| 2023/24 | 45% |
| 2024/25 | 47% |
| 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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