Monkwray Junior School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 7 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Monkwray Brow, Monkwray Junior School, Monkwray Brow, Whitehaven, CA28 9DTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Monkwray Junior School is a primary school in Whitehaven for ages 7 to 11. It is one of the 178 schools in Cumberland. It ranks 5th of 11 primary schools in Whitehaven. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2013.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 7 March 2013, report published 2 April 2013

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 July 2023

Leaders are ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to achieve well during their time at the school. They have designed a broad and engaging curriculum, which they hope will 'open a window on the world' for pupils and provide them with a good range of learning opportunities and experiences. Most pupils work hard and achieve well during their time at Monkwray. Pupils enjoy coming to school. Positive relationships between staff and pupils are quickly established. Parents and carers and pupils overwhelmingly confirmed that they see the school as a happy place to come and learn. Pupils live up to adults' high expectations of their conduct in class and around school. Leaders have put in place effective systems to promote good behaviour and learning is only rarely interrupted by off-task behaviour. Pupils said that incidents of bullying are unusual. When any bullying does occur, leaders deal with it quickly. Leaders have ensured that pupils have chances to take on different roles and responsibilities. Pupils are proud to represent their school at different sporting and cultural events. Pupils who have been in school teams for sports such as swimming and dodgeball were proud to talk about the medals that they have won. Pupils enjoy and appreciate the enrichment activities that are planned for them. For example, pupils were keen to talk about what they had learned on their trip to look at different places of worship.

What the school should improve

  • Teachers do not ensure that pupils learn and remember the key vocabulary identified in the subject curriculums. As a result, often pupils struggle to recall this vocabulary or use it accurately. Leaders need to ensure that there is a consistent and effective approach to teaching subject-specific vocabulary across the school so that pupils remember it over time and use it accurately in their work.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

27 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths41%

41%, 21 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 score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

109 pupils on roll, with places for 140

Eligible for free school meals36.7%

36.7%, 10.2 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language6.4%

6.4%, 15.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12.8%

12.8%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan9.2%

9.2%, 3.2 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Monkwray Junior School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Kells Infant School0.4 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstandingNot published
St Begh's Catholic Junior School0.4 milesOfsted: Good47% met the expected standard
St Mary's Catholic Primary School0.5 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding76% met the expected standard
St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant School0.5 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School0.9 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
7 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Danielle Willis
Address
Monkwray Brow, Monkwray Junior School, Monkwray Brow, Whitehaven, CA28 9DT
Local authority
Cumberland
URN
112170

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.