Culgaith CofE School

Culgaith C of E School has been assessed as good overall in this inspection, showcasing various strengths particularly in personal development, which was rated as outstanding. Pupils enjoy a friendly and welcoming environment, demonstrating high levels of engagement and enthusiasm for their learning. The school has successfully implemented an ambitious curriculum that accommodates the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they achieve well. Positive relationships between pupils and staff contribute to a calm and orderly atmosphere conducive to learning.

Strengths

• Strong emphasis on personal development through diverse activities
• High expectations for pupil achievement and behavior
• Effective communication with parents and professionals for SEND support
• Well-organized curriculum that promotes secure knowledge building
• Pupils develop a real love of reading through structured phonics approach

Areas for Improvement

• Certain subjects lack clarity in key knowledge components for effective teaching

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 Culgaith CofE School attended 95.7% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 14.3% 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 Culgaith 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 Culgaith CofE School had 17.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 17.9% 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, 3.6% of pupils at Culgaith CofE School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 7.1% 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 Culgaith CofE School received £9,649 and spent £10,078 for each of its 56 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £37,000 (-£664 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 Culgaith CofE School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Culgaith CofE School is Good, from an inspection in December 2023.

When was Culgaith CofE School last inspected by Ofsted?

Culgaith CofE School was last inspected in December 2023.

How many pupils does Culgaith CofE School have?

Culgaith CofE School has 56 pupils on roll.

What age range does Culgaith CofE School cover?

Culgaith CofE School for pupils aged 2 to 11.

Where is Culgaith CofE School?

Culgaith CofE School is at Culgaith, Culgaith, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1QL.