St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle
Carlisle, CA2 4JD · Cumberland · primary school
Check the area around this school
94th 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 — 2.4/10 against 2,470 of them, against 2.5/10 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 | 41.0 · 9 | 62% | 0.54 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 38% | 1.95 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 41.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the 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 (2.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Eco Club - The Planeteers and Lego Therapy. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 217 pupils against a stated capacity of 238. 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 activities take place during the Eco Club sessions? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll?
What Ofsted said about St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils are happy and behave well, creating a “calm and orderly learning environment” with positive relationships. However, the quality of education is severely undermined by a curriculum that “lacks structure and purpose,” leading to widespread underachievement and low expectations for pupil progress.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy attending school, describing it as “like being part of one big family where everyone is welcome.”
- Personal development is fostered well, with pupils taking on leadership roles and contributing to the local community.
- Behaviour is generally good, with older pupils learning “without distraction” and showing respect.
- The school is “tenacious” in tackling low attendance, working effectively with families and external agencies.
- Staff appreciate leadership efforts to reduce workload and support their well-being.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum must be redesigned to provide clear guidance on what pupils should learn and when, ensuring secure knowledge building from early years to Year 6.
- Teachers require suitable training and support to deliver content with clarity and use assessment strategies effectively to identify and correct gaps in learning.
- The early reading curriculum and phonics programme must be implemented consistently, with swift support for pupils who struggle to keep up.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) must be improved to ensure adaptations match individual needs.
- The trust and governors must secure the necessary leadership capacity to bring about “rapid and sustained improvement.”
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 | 72% |
| 2023/24 | 75% |
| 2024/25 | 41% |
| 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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