Patterdale CofE Primary School
Patterdale, Penrith, CA11 0NLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Patterdale CofE Primary School is a primary school in Penrith for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 160 schools in Westmorland and Furness. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2012.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 25 April 2012, report published 18 May 2012
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 2 June 2026
Pupils have a strong sense of belonging at this small school. Staff genuinely care for each child. They quickly build relationships that help pupils to feel safe and valued as unique individuals. Pupils are warmly greeted each morning before starting the day with a lively physical activity. Pupils behave very well. They play together harmoniously. Older pupils are positive role models for their younger peers. Bullying is rare, and leaders deal with any instances swiftly. Pupils enjoy learning and want to achieve well. In class, they typically focus on their activities, and they are proud of the work that they produce. However, pupils do not always achieve as well as they could. This is because of inconsistencies in teaching. Leaders do not prioritise basic skills, so some pupils find it tricky to form letters correctly. Pupils do not develop a clear and fluent written style quickly enough. They have limited opportunities to write in some subjects. Teachers do not routinely address misconceptions. Pupils attend school regularly because of the positive culture that leaders have established. They are given a rich variety of experiences to broaden the curriculum and prepare them for life beyond the school. These include opportunities that take advantage of the unique location of the school. For example, pupils go bouldering, canoeing and hiking. They enhance their learning of the environment through growing projects with local farms. Pupils decide some of the extra-curricular activities that leaders arrange, such as film club and yoga. They take great care of their school hens, Squidge and Puff.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should develop the expertise of staff in teaching early writing skills so that pupils have secure foundations to write accurately in English and across the curriculum.
- Leaders should ensure that phonics is taught consistently well so that all pupils are able to read fluently.
- Leaders should ensure that teaching across all subjects consistently enables pupils to build on their prior learning and deepen knowledge and understanding.
Pupil numbers and mix
23 pupils on roll, with places for 42
Schools near Patterdale CofE Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere CofE Primary School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 80% met the expected standard |
| Ambleside CofE Primary School | 7 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 75% met the expected standard |
| Threlkeld CofE Primary School | 7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 33% met the expected standard |
| Penruddock Primary School | 8 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 38% met the expected standard |
| Langdale CofE School | 8 miles | Report card: Urgent improvement to expected standard | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Nicola Steels
- Phone
- 01768482383
- Address
- Patterdale, Penrith, CA11 0NL
- Local authority
- Westmorland and Furness
- URN
- 112326
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.