Dean Gibson Catholic Primary School, Kendal
Hawesmead Avenue, Kendal, LA9 5HBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Dean Gibson Catholic Primary School, Kendal is a primary school in Kendal for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 160 schools in Westmorland and Furness. It ranks 4th of 13 primary schools in Kendal. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2016.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 21 April 2016, report published 17 May 2016
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 5 June 2024
Pupils enjoy attending this friendly and inviting school. They told the inspector that everybody is welcomed and made to feel equal at their school. Pupils look forward to seeing their friends each day, which helps them to feel happy. They appreciate the support that they receive from their teachers. The school has high expectations for pupils' achievement. Typically, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), rise to these. They achieve well. Pupils were eager to showcase their learning to the inspector. They enjoy recognition for their efforts, such as by receiving certificates in celebration assemblies. Pupils focus well on their learning during lessons. They generally behave well across the school. Pupils understand the school's motto of 'listen, learn, care'. They aim to follow this each day. This contributes to classrooms being calm and purposeful learning environments. Pupils are caring towards each other and towards staff. The school aims to provide pupils with a broad range of experiences. For example, pupils enjoy clubs in science, art, archery and sports. Visits and trips, including to museums, theatres, castles and cities further afield, enrich their learning. Older pupils eagerly spoke about baking brownies at a nearby college.
What the school should improve
- In a few subjects, some staff do not implement learning activities consistently well. This means that some pupils do not learn as much as they could. The school should support staff to deliver these subject curriculums more effectively so that pupils learn the intended curriculum well.
- In a small number of subjects, where curriculums have recently been refined, the school is still determining its strategies to check what pupils already know. This means that some pupils' gaps in prior learning are not addressed before teachers introduce new curriculum content. The school should fully embed curriculum improvements and ensure that teachers use assessment strategies well to identify and remedy gaps in pupils' prior knowledge.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
32 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
134 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Dean Gibson Catholic Primary School, Kendal
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vicarage Park CofE Primary School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Ghyllside Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 78% met the expected standard |
| Heron Hill Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 69% met the expected standard |
| Stramongate Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 73% met the expected standard |
| Castle Park School | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good | 66% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- MATER CHRISTI MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Clare Ritchie
- Phone
- 01539723363
- Address
- Hawesmead Avenue, Kendal, LA9 5HB
- Local authority
- Westmorland and Furness
- URN
- 148697
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.