Ullswater Community College
Penrith, CA11 8NG · Westmorland and Furness · secondary school
Check the area around this school
10th of 20 secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 890 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.9/10 among them, against 3.3/10 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 | 34.8 · 24 | 30% | 0.72 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.01 · 51 | 25% | 1.28 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.5 · 17 | 10% | 0.17 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ullswater Community College overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2023. In 2024/25, 43.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly better 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 3.6 out of 10 among them, against 4.6 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,520 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,625. 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 to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Ullswater Community College
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils make a "strong contribution to the warm and welcoming environment" and enjoy "positive and respectful relationships with staff." Leaders have established "ambitious" curriculums that help most pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to "achieve well" and become "confident and independent."
Strengths
- Pupils are "fully included" in school life, with SEND pupils flourishing through effective support and specially resourced provision.
- Teachers deliver the curriculum with "clarity" and use "strong subject knowledge" to address learning gaps effectively.
- Leaders have "prioritised reading," ensuring less accomplished readers receive timely support to become "confident, fluent readers."
- Sixth-form students aspire to leadership roles, such as "reading buddies" and supporting younger pupils through the ‘Reset programme’.
- Governors hold leaders to account effectively, and staff value the consideration given to their "well-being."
Areas to improve
- In a "small number of subjects," some activities do not help pupils develop a "sufficient depth of knowledge and understanding."
- The absence rates of a "small number of pupils," including some disadvantaged pupils, are "too high," causing them to miss important learning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective," with leaders creating a "strong culture of safeguarding" and ensuring staff receive necessary training to identify pupils at risk.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.7 |
| 2024/25 | 41.0 |
| 2025/26 | 39.5 |
| 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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