Fir Ends Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Skitby Road, Smithfield, Fir Ends School, Skitby Road, Brampton, CA6 6AYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Fir Ends Primary School is a primary school in Brampton for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 178 schools in Cumberland. It ranks 6th of 7 primary schools in Brampton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2014.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 26 November 2014, report published 18 December 2014

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 January 2025

Pupils enjoy attending this welcoming and friendly school. The staff have created a strong culture so that all pupils feel a secure part of the community. Pupils work hard to live up to the school's high expectations for their achievement. They show commitment in lessons and take pride in their work. Most pupils achieve well. Children in the early years learn in a happy and vibrant environment. They benefit from clear routines and expectations, which help them to make a positive start to their education. Older pupils behave very well in classrooms and around the school. The school strives to ensure pupils are well prepared for life beyond school and their immediate small and rural community. The school provides opportunities for pupils to visit places such as the Lake District and to experience residential visits to cities such as Newcastle and York. The school welcomes visitors into the school to widen pupils' knowledge of other cultures. Pupils learn how to lead safe and healthy lifestyles. Older pupils enjoy undertaking roles and responsibilities in and around the school. This includes being on the school council or acting as 'Official Helpers' for their peers, including younger pupils. The school provides a variety of clubs, such as sports and music, as well as a thriving before- and after-school club.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, the school has not identified the most important knowledge that pupils across the school need to know. This means that, in lessons, staff do not routinely prioritise this key knowledge or check how well this has been understood. The school should identify the most important knowledge that pupils should learn so that teachers know what to emphasise in their teaching and what to check when they assess pupils' learning.
  • The impact of the new approach to writing is variable in some subjects. Errors in pupils' writing sometimes go unchecked. This hinders some pupils from becoming fluent and accurate writers. The school should ensure that staff have the same high expectations for pupils' writing across all subjects.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

12 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths33%

33%, 29 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score99

99, 6 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

87 pupils on roll, with places for 135

Eligible for free school meals5.7%

5.7%, 20.8 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5.7%

5.7%, 15.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12.6%

12.6%, 2.2 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.3%

2.3%, 3.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Fir Ends Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Blackford CofE Primary School3 milesOfsted judgements: Good13% met the expected standard
Crosby-on-Eden CofE School4 milesOfsted: Good88% met the expected standard
Irthington Village School4 milesOfsted: Good78% met the expected standard
Longtown Primary School4 milesOfsted: Good68% met the expected standard
Houghton CofE School4 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard68% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Foundation school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Daryl Spencer
Address
Skitby Road, Smithfield, Fir Ends School, Skitby Road, Brampton, CA6 6AY
Local authority
Cumberland
URN
112420

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.