St Mark's CofE Primary School
Natland, Kendal, LA9 7QH · Westmorland and Furness · primary school
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11th of 108 primary schools in Westmorland and Furness we can score, 121 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,510 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.1/10 among them, against 8.6/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 79.0 · 86 | 40% | 3.43 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 16.0 · 85 | 25% | 2.13 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Mark's CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 79.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 16.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.1 out of 10 among them, against 8.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 184 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are available within the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Mark's CofE Primary School
Overview
St Mark’s CofE Primary School continues to be a good school, where leaders’ values permeate the environment and foster positive pupil attitudes. Pupils are described as “polite, friendly and welcoming,” benefiting from warm staff relationships and high expectations for learning and behaviour. The school provides a broad, ambitious curriculum that supports successful outcomes for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Pupils are “happy” and feel safe, with leaders dealing with bullying “quickly” and staff maintaining “warm and supportive relationships.”
- Leaders have designed a “broad and ambitious curriculum” with clear links between subjects, enhanced by trips and projects.
- Reading is a priority; pupils “read widely” and enjoy opportunities to read with younger children, supported by a successful new phonics curriculum.
- Pupils with additional needs are “quickly identified” and receive effective support to access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.
- The curriculum extends beyond academics, offering planned opportunities for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development rooted in the local community.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, leaders must break down important knowledge into “smaller steps of learning” so teachers are clear on what and when to teach it.
- Leaders should develop effective assessment strategies in these subjects to check if pupils are “learning and remembering the intended curriculum.”
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and updates to identify risks and keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 62% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 79% |
| 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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