Borrowdale CofE Primary School
Borrowdale, Keswick, CA12 5XGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Borrowdale CofE Primary School is a primary school in Keswick for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 178 schools in Cumberland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 12 March 2024, report published 8 May 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- 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 12 March 2024
Everyone is valued at this small and family-centred school. Pupils know that staff care for them and will support them if they have any worries or concerns. Pupils are happy here. Many pupils join at different points in their schooling. Staff make sure that they get to know pupils and their families quickly to help them to settle in well. The school has high expectations of pupils' academic achievements and of their personal development. Pupils aim to please their teachers and told inspectors about the rewards that they receive, including prizes and a coveted headteacher's award. They look forward to showcasing their achievements each week during a special assembly. Typically, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well. Pupils behave well. They are respectful of others and know that it is important to make everyone feel included, regardless of any differences that they have. Pupils relish the rich range of wider opportunities that the school provides. For example, they spoke fondly about after-school activities, including running, writing and cookery clubs. Pupils benefit from many trips that enhance their learning of the curriculum. For instance, a recent visit to a local valley has helped them to fully understand the features of rivers.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, including areas of learning in the early years, the school is still refining the important information that pupils should learn. This restricts the depth of some pupils' knowledge. The school should determine the key knowledge that pupils should learn and when this should be taught.
- At times, teachers do not select the most appropriate activities to deliver curriculum content. This causes some pupils to lose focus during lessons and, as a result, they do not learn as well as they could. The school should support teachers in choosing activities that help pupils to learn and achieve well.
Pupil numbers and mix
31 pupils on roll, with places for 56
Schools near Borrowdale CofE Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Herbert's CofE (VA) Primary and Nursery School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 54% met the expected standard |
| Braithwaite CofE Primary School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 36% met the expected standard |
| Grasmere CofE Primary School | 7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 80% met the expected standard |
| Langdale CofE School | 7 miles | Report card: Urgent improvement to expected standard | Not published |
| Threlkeld CofE Primary School | 8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 33% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Ralf Smits
- Phone
- 01768777686
- Address
- Borrowdale, Keswick, CA12 5XG
- Local authority
- Cumberland
- URN
- 112333
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.