Trinity School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Church of England · Sixth form

Part of TRINITY SCHOOL, A CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY

Strand Road, Carlisle, CA1 1JB

01228 516051 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 19 November 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths30%England 45% · 2024/25
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Higher than 17% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,711Room for 1,500 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,670 in 2019, 1,641 in 2021, 1,695 in 2022, 1,698 in 2023, 1,694 in 2024, 1,675 in 2025, 1,711 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.8205 for 253 places, September 2026
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Higher than 26% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 19 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

158 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Carlisle comparisons use the 3 of its 5 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 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.

StatementThis schoolCarlisleEngland
My child is happy at this school
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Carlisle.
Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 77% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Carlisle.
Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 82% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Carlisle.
Higher than 28% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
67% 73% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 60 parents whose child had been bullied
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Carlisle.
Higher than 59% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
53% 51% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 120 parents who had raised a concern
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Carlisle.
Higher than 43% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
68% 69% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 32 parents of children with SEND
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Carlisle.
Higher than 18% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
44% 50% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Carlisle.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
68%said yes 73% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 9%). 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. Carlisle figures pool parents at the Carlisle 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

265 pupils in this year group.

30% — 6 points below the Cumberland average, and 15 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCumberlandEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 30% 37% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 41.4 42.3 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.7 3.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 36%This school 2023/24: 46%This school 2024/25: 30% This school England 45% 2022/23 36% 2023/24 46% 2024/25 30%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

249 pupils in this year group.

91% — about the same as the Cumberland average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 40%37%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolCumberlandEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 91% 91% 92%
School sixth form 40% 37% 34%
Sixth form college 0% – 13%
Further education college 37% 36% 37%
Apprenticeship 9% 12% 3%
Work 5% 5% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
94%91%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

138 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolCumberlandEngland
Average A level grade C C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 12% 19% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 36% 42% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 29.5 31.8 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 31.0This school 2023/24: 31.2This school 2024/25: 29.5 This school England 35 2022/23 31.0 2023/24 31.2 2024/25 29.5

A level subjects, 2024/25

21 subjects, 332 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 39 3% 15% 40%
Geography 34 0% 6% 23%
Psychology 32 0% 6% 19%
Sociology 32 0% 3% 20%
Biology 28 7% 25% 27%
English Language 20 0% 10% 13%
History 19 0% 16% 23%
English Literature 18 0% 6% 23%
Law 18 0% 0% 17%
Chemistry 17 0% 24% 30%
Drama and Theatre Studies 13 0% 23% 19%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 12 0% 8% 14%
Art and Design 11 9% 36% 34%
Physics 10 0% 10% 31%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 6 0% 33% 15%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Physical Education / Sports Studies, Religious Studies, Spanish, Music, Government and Politics, Mathematics (Further).

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

166 students in this year group.

92% — 9 points above the Cumberland average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCumberlandEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 92% 83% 79%
Apprenticeship 6% 19% 7%
Work 31% 26% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
91%92%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

164 students in this year group.

61% — about the same as the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCumberlandEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 61% – 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 16% – 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
73%61%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. 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 Cumberland. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.

Places offered253
Families who put it first205
Of those, offered a place205 (100%)
Families who listed it at all481

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.8

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 Church of England 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.

Admissions dates and schools in Cumberland

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolCumberlandEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
22.1% 25.6%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.2% 4.3%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
20.7% 14.6%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.7% 5.0%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Lower than 20% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
10.3% 8.7%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Lower than 33% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
26.8% 23.3%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
21.3 17.9 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Lower than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
6.0% 6.9% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils 0.24% 0.18% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Higher than 74% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.0 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Higher than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.4 11.6 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Carlisle.
Higher than 11% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
6.8% 14.9%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary 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 secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Trinity School's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 19 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Trinity School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 30% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 15 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Trinity School?

68% of the 158 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Trinity School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Trinity School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 205 families put Trinity School as their first choice for 253 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 205 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.