Pennington CofE School

Pennington C of E School has been graded as good overall in its latest inspection, marking a shift from its previous outstanding status from 14 years ago. The long interval between inspections reflects changes in law that exempted outstanding schools from routine evaluations. Despite this change, the school's commitment to providing a strong educational experience remains evident. Pupils enjoy their time at school, displaying good behavior and strong attendance, backed by supportive parents and effective leadership. The curriculum is ambitious and well-sequenced, with pupils demonstrating solid achievements in various subject areas.

Strengths

• Strong leadership with staff high expectations for every pupil
• Effective delivery of reading and mathematics through structured approaches
• Pupils exhibit good behavior and a supportive, inclusive environment
• High levels of pupil engagement in extracurricular activities
• Active parental support and communication
• Opportunities for personal development through charity work and community engagement

Areas for Improvement

• Need for continued development in the teaching of reading and mathematics
• Checks on implementation of improvements need to be strengthened
• Limited opportunities for learning about other faiths and cultures

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 Pennington CofE School attended 96.2% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 5.9% 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 Pennington CofE 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 Pennington CofE School had 26.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 19.5% 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, 5.7% of pupils at Pennington CofE School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 3.3% 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 Pennington CofE School received £6,457 and spent £6,602 for each of its 211 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £62,000 (£292 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 Ulverston · Westmorland and Furness local authority: places and applications

What is Pennington CofE School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Pennington CofE School is Good, from an inspection in June 2025.

When was Pennington CofE School last inspected by Ofsted?

Pennington CofE School was last inspected in June 2025.

How many pupils does Pennington CofE School have?

Pennington CofE School has 211 pupils on roll.

What age range does Pennington CofE School cover?

Pennington CofE School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are Pennington CofE School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 65% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Pennington CofE School?

Pennington CofE School is at Pennington, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0RR.