SchoolScoresSacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of MATER CHRISTI MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Lumley Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2BA
01229 260367 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 15 June 2016. 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.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 25 April 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
60 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Barrow-in-Furness comparisons use the 12 of its 24 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 12 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Barrow-in-Furness | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 7th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 62% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 97% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 7th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 97% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 3rd highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 94% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 16 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 2nd highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 67% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 48% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 41 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 10 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 82% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 84% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 7th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 90% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Barrow-in-Furness figures pool parents at the Barrow-in-Furness schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
21 pupils in this year group.
43% — 15 points below the Westmorland and Furness average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Westmorland and Furness | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 43% | 58% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 57% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 43% | 69% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 76% | 73% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
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 | 10 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 10 |
| Of those, offered a place | 10 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 22 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 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.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Westmorland and Furness | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 80% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 39.7% | 16.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 92% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.2% | 4.5%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 75% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.5% | 13.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 79% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 31.1% | 5.4%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 24th lowest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Lower than 9% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.2% | 4.4%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 24th lowest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Lower than 10% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 21.7% | 8.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 22nd lowest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Lower than 26% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.2 | 1.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 19th lowest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Lower than 30% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 0.6% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 17th highest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 9% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 15.5 | 19.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 22nd highest of 24 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 1% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 5.5 | 9.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 23 state primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Higher than 73% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 20.0% | 13.3%* | 14.4%* |
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; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- St George's CofE School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Greengate Junior School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Parkside Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cambridge Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ramsden Infant School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Barrow Island Community Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Newbarns Primary and Nursery School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- St James' CofE Junior School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 31% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brisbane Park Infant School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow's Ofsted rating?
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 15 June 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 25 April 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 19 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow?
92% of the 60 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 10 families put Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow as their first choice for 10 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 10 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 148699.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.