The Nelson Thomlinson School
Wigton, CA7 9PX · Cumberland · secondary school
Check the area around this school
3rd of 19 secondary schools in Cumberland we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 697 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.6/10 among them, against 3.4/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 36.0 · 27 | 30% | 0.82 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.1 · 42 | 25% | 1.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.1 · 34 | 10% | 0.34 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Nelson Thomlinson School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, with the most recent inspection in 2023-12. In 2024/25, 46.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.1 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.8 out of 10 among them, against 5.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Samba band and participate in the Sixth Form Charity Challenge, alongside musical performances.
Getting in
Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How does the Samba band integrate with the wider music curriculum?
What Ofsted said about The Nelson Thomlinson School
Overview
The report describes a school with "strong traditions" where pupils are "proud to live out the school’s values" and behave with "respect and politeness." Leaders have designed a "broad, balanced and ambitious" curriculum that provides secure foundations for learning, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate "responsible, thoughtful and decent" behaviour in a "calm and purposeful" atmosphere.
- Teachers use assessment effectively to "identify any gaps in pupils’ knowledge and skills" and successfully fill them.
- The curriculum is well-designed, with staff ensuring "secure foundations on which to build new learning."
- Pupils benefit from a "wide range of extra-curricular activities" and a "robust programme of personal development."
- Staff well-being is prioritised through a "bespoke package of learning" to support professional development.
Areas to improve
- The school should "foster a culture of reading across the school" and support key stage 4 pupils who "struggle to access the wider curriculum" due to lack of fluency.
- Leaders and governors must "refine its systems to monitor pupils’ attendance" to identify persistent absence patterns.
- The school needs to engage more effectively with parents to alleviate "negative perceptions" regarding behaviour and bullying management.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.0 |
| 2024/25 | 46.2 |
| 2025/26 | 43.1 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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