Alston Primary School
Church Road, Alston, CA9 3QUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Alston Primary School is a primary school in Alston for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 160 schools in Westmorland and Furness. It ranks 82nd of 97 primary schools in Westmorland and Furness. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 21 January 2025, report published 2 March 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 21 January 2025
Pupils feel a strong sense of belonging at this small, happy school. They are confident that staff know them well and will support them with any worries that they may have. Pupils of all ages interact positively with each other. For example, they delight in playing group games together at playtimes. Pupils are happy at school and learn in a calm and caring environment. Pupils develop their confidence and leadership skills by taking on roles such as reading buddies, school councillors and 'mini police'. Pupils are proud of the impact that they have on others through these roles. For example, pupils speak about how they keep younger children safe at playtimes and how they raise money for charities. The school's curriculum reflects its high expectations for pupils' achievement. It has considered the local, rural context of the school when designing the curriculum to ensure it meets the needs and interests of the pupils. Pupils enjoy their learning and typically achieve well across a broad range of subjects. Pupils are polite and respectful towards others. Staff provide effective support to pupils who struggle to regulate their emotions. Pupils are clear that everyone is equal and is welcome at their school.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, the essential knowledge that pupils should learn is not clearly identified. As a result, at times, pupils' knowledge in these subjects does not build securely. The school should ensure that there is clarity about the essential knowledge pupils should learn in all subjects, so that pupils develop a deep body of knowledge and are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
- In some subjects, the school's checks on learning do not provide information that precisely identifies how well pupils have learned the curriculum and whether there are any gaps in their knowledge. This means that gaps in pupils' understanding are not addressed as quickly as they could be. The school should strengthen its work to develop its checks on learning so that staff are able to identify precisely how securely pupils have learned the curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
13 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
88 pupils on roll, with places for 105
Schools near Alston Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nenthead Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Whitfield CofE Primary School | 8 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Not published |
| Wearhead Primary School | 10 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Allendale Primary School | 10 miles | Ofsted: Good | 47% met the expected standard |
| Kirkoswald CofE School | 11 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Rob Dawson
- Phone
- 01434381236
- Address
- Church Road, Alston, CA9 3QU
- Local authority
- Westmorland and Furness
- URN
- 112101
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.