SchoolScoresKirkby Thore School
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of CHANGING LIVES LEARNING TRUST
Kirkby Thore, Penrith, CA10 1UU
01768 361497 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Inadequate at the inspection that started on 8 March 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Special measures.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Early years | Inadequate |
| Safeguarding | Not effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
No test or exam results have been published for this school yet.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Westmorland and Furness. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 4 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 4 |
| Of those, offered a place | 4 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 5 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Westmorland and Furness | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Higher than 36% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.1% | 16.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 20th highest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 4.5%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Higher than 71% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 17.6% | 13.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Higher than 38% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.9% | 5.4%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 25th lowest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Lower than 13% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.8% | 4.4%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 14th lowest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Lower than 79% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.1% | 8.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 25th lowest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Lower than 27% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.9 | 1.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 25th lowest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Lower than 10% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.9% | 0.6% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 16th highest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Higher than 12% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 16.3 | 19.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 26 state primary schools in Penrith. Higher than 32% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.7 | 9.5 | 10.6 |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26.
Nearby primary schools
- Temple Sowerby CofE Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bolton Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Long Marton School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 31% met expected standard (KS2)
- Milburn School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), some aspects weaker 2025
- Culgaith CofE School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Kirkby Thore School's Ofsted rating?
Kirkby Thore School was rated Inadequate by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 March 2023.
Is Kirkby Thore School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 4 families put Kirkby Thore School as their first choice for 4 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 4 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 150507.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.