St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Frizington, CA26 3PX · Cumberland · primary school
Check the area around this school
60th 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 — 3.4/10 against 1,976 of them, against 3.1/10 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) 2023/24 | 25.0 · 2 | 40% | 0.07 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2023/24 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2023/24, 25.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 63%. 13.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 6%. 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 (3.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2025.
Getting in
The published school roll is 55 pupils against a stated capacity of 84. 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 literacy? What specific interventions are in place for the 25.0% who did not meet the benchmark? How does the recent Good inspection influence current teaching strategies?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Overview
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils are described as proud members of a “warm and welcoming school” where they behave well and value positive relationships with staff. The school provides a coherent curriculum and effective support for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Pupils are “safe and happy” and demonstrate a strong sense of community, showing “real respect and tolerance” for others.
- Reading is given high priority, with staff delivering the phonics programme well so that “most pupils become fluent and accurate readers.”
- The curriculum is “coherent and well-structured,” helping pupils develop an “impressive level of knowledge” in subjects such as science and geography.
- Staff morale is high, with employees feeling valued and appreciating that the school ensures their workload is “reasonable.”
- Enrichment experiences, including theatre visits and university programmes, are delivered enthusiastically, supporting pupils’ personal development.
Areas to improve
- The school must prioritise developing and embedding pupils’ core writing skills, as they are not consistently given sufficient time to secure fundamental abilities before moving to complex tasks.
- This lack of focus on basics means some pupils’ written work is hampered by weaknesses in “handwriting, spelling and basic punctuation.”
- The school is taking action to address concerns regarding pupil attendance, with “promising signs that attendance is now improving.”
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 | 14% |
| 2023/24 | 25% |
| England | 63% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,190 state schools in England we hold a 2023/24 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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