Skelton School

Skelton School is performing well, having received a grade of 'Good' in its latest Ofsted inspection. The nurturing environment fosters a safe and happy atmosphere for pupils, who are engaged and motivated in their learning. Despite this good performance, the school has seen a decline from its previous 'Outstanding' grade due to some inconsistency in curriculum delivery across subjects. While most pupils learn effectively, some areas require improvement, particularly regarding the adaptation of the curriculum to meet the needs of all learners, especially those with additional needs. The school maintains high aspirations for its students and emphasizes the development of confident, capable learners. Pupils attend regularly and participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. However, there are noted concerns regarding the need for more effective curriculum delivery in specific subjects and the support provided in the early years to help children consolidate their learning. Overall, the school is showing solid performance with areas identified for further enhancement.

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters happiness and safety.
• The school has high ambitions for pupil achievement and promotes hard work effectively.
• Pupils demonstrate respect for one another and exhibit positive behavior.
• The curriculum is ambitious and well-defined in many subjects, particularly mathematics.
• Pupils with SEND are included in all activities and learning opportunities.
• Wide range of extracurricular clubs and activities that engage pupils from all backgrounds.
• Staff feel well supported by the leadership team and are proud to work at the school.

Areas for Improvement

• Some curriculum areas lack effective delivery, hindering deep learning.
• Occasional inadequate support for consolidating learning in early years.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Skelton School attended 97.0% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 4.2% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Skelton School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Skelton School had 14.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 0.0% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 9.2% of pupils at Skelton School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 0.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Skelton School received £8,029 and spent £7,739 for each of its 85 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £71,000 (£844 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Penrith · Westmorland and Furness local authority: places and applications

What is Skelton School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Skelton School is Good, from an inspection in October 2024.

When was Skelton School last inspected by Ofsted?

Skelton School was last inspected in October 2024.

How many pupils does Skelton School have?

Skelton School has 87 pupils on roll.

What age range does Skelton School cover?

Skelton School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are Skelton School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 89% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Skelton School?

Skelton School is at Skelton, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9SE.