Caldew Lea School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Ashley Street, Caldew Lea School, Ashley St, Carlisle, Ca2 7be, Carlisle, CA2 7BEOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Caldew Lea School is a primary school in Carlisle for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 178 schools in Cumberland. It ranks 29th of 40 primary schools in Carlisle. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 12 March 2024, report published 25 April 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 March 2024

Pupils flourish at this school. They speak kindly to each other and to the adults in school who care for them well. Pupils contribute significantly to the school's calm and welcoming atmosphere. They care deeply for each other. They take great pride in behaving well. Pupils are happy. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), respond well to the high expectations that the school has of their achievement. In the early years, staff skilfully help children to develop confidence in their abilities and to settle in quickly. Pupils achieve well. Pupils access a rich range of activities that make an impressive contribution to their wider development. For example, they develop their talents and interests through clubs in sport, music and the arts. Trips and visits are linked closely to the subjects that pupils study. For example, pupils visit a nearby museum to learn about the Stone Age and a local cathedral to build their knowledge of different faiths and cultures. Pupils are excellent ambassadors for the school. Older pupils enjoy many leadership opportunities, for example as reading buddies, playground leaders and school councillors. Pupils become independent young people.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of subjects, the curriculums have recently been implemented. Some pupils have not developed the depth of knowledge that they could. The school should ensure that the curriculums in these few subjects are fully embedded so that pupils are well prepared for each stage of their education.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

45 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths56%

56%, 6 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths7%

7%, 1 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score102

102, 4 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score100

100, 5 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

273 pupils on roll, with places for 300

Eligible for free school meals32.6%

32.6%, 6.1 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language36.3%

36.3%, 14.7 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support5.5%

5.5%, 9.3 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.5%

5.5%, 0.5 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Caldew Lea School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Bede's Catholic Primary School0.4 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to good57% met the expected standard
Newtown Primary School0.5 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding55% met the expected standard
Robert Ferguson Primary School0.8 milesOfsted: Good38% met the expected standard
Newlaithes Junior School0.9 milesOfsted: Good50% met the expected standard
Newlaithes Infant School0.9 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
CUMBRIA EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Miss Ayesha Weston
Address
Ashley Street, Caldew Lea School, Ashley St, Carlisle, Ca2 7be, Carlisle, CA2 7BE
Local authority
Cumberland
URN
147114

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.