Holy Family Catholic Primary School

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

Ostley Bank, Newbarns, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9LROpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Holy Family Catholic Primary School is a primary school in Barrow-in-Furness for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 160 schools in Westmorland and Furness. It ranks 9th of 20 primary schools in Barrow-in-Furness. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2013.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 18 June 2013, report published 10 July 2013

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 December 2022

Pupils enjoy coming to school. They are safe and secure here. Children in the early years cannot wait to find their favourite activities when they arrive each day. Older pupils play and chat happily together at break times. Pupils said that everyone is welcome in this school, no matter what their differences are. Leaders have high expectations for pupils' achievement. Pupils know that they must listen carefully and work hard. They try their best, even when new learning is difficult. Pupils know that they can ask for help if they need it. Children and pupils of all ages achieve well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers expect pupils to behave well. Pupils live up to these high standards. They are extremely polite and respectful, including to visitors. They move around school quietly and with consideration for others. Even the youngest children walk sensibly to the hall, for example, for their nativity performance. Leaders address any bullying swiftly, should it ever occur. Pupils appreciate the wide range of activities that leaders provide for their personal development. They can sing in the school choir or take part in a variety of sports after school. Pupils enjoy being part of their church community. Older pupils especially look forward to their residential stays at outdoor education centres. All pupils can participate in these activities, including those with SEND.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of subjects, the curriculum does not contain enough information about some smaller components of knowledge that pupils need to learn, and about the order in which pupils should learn these components. This prevents teachers from making sure that pupils learn everything that they need to know in these subjects. Leaders must ensure that the curriculum in all subjects provides staff with enough information, so that they can teach pupils all of the important knowledge that they need.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

29 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths62%

62%, the same as the England average.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths3%

3%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score103

103, 3 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 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

217 pupils on roll, with places for 218

Eligible for free school meals6%

6%, 20.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5.1%

5.1%, 16.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support4.1%

4.1%, 10.7 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.1%

4.1%, 1.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Holy Family Catholic Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Newbarns Primary and Nursery School0.2 milesOfsted judgements: Good47% met the expected standard
St Paul's CofE Junior School0.4 milesOfsted: Good44% met the expected standard
Victoria Infant and Nursery School0.5 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Victoria Academy0.7 milesOfsted: Outstanding65% met the expected standard
Parkside Academy0.8 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard71% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Voluntary aided school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Rachel Porter
Address
Ostley Bank, Newbarns, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9LR
URN
112366

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.