Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Ullswater Road, Penrith, CA11 7EGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith is a secondary school in Penrith for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 160 schools in Westmorland and Furness. It ranks 1st of 20 secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 January 2023, report published 28 March 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 January 2023
Pupils, including students in the sixth form, are happy to attend school each day. This is reflected in their high rates of attendance. Pupils explained to inspectors that they value the trusting and respectful relationships they have with staff. This helps pupils to feel safe in school. Leaders deal with any incidents of bullying quickly and effectively. Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum to ensure that pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can live up to the aspirations that leaders have for them. For the most part, pupils rise to these expectations, try their best and achieve well. When pupils and students leave the school, they are prepared well for the next stage of their education, employment or training. Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. During lessons, pupils listen attentively to teachers' explanations and follow instructions diligently. Pupils value the support that they receive from staff. For instance, they told inspectors that staff would 'go out of their way' to provide extra help if they find questions tricky. At lunchtimes, the school is a hive of activity as many pupils join in with a wide variety of extra-curricular clubs. For example, they enjoy taking part in lunchtime activities such as rugby, badminton, food microbiology, electrics and circuits, and dance club. Pupils are excited about performing in 'Shrek', their upcoming school production.
What the school should improve
- Some subject leaders are not equipped well enough to support teachers to design and deliver some aspects of the curriculum with confidence. This means that some teachers, particularly those staff at the earliest stages of their teaching careers, do not receive sufficient support to design learning well. Leaders should ensure that subject leaders have the expertise necessary to improve teachers' subject and pedagogical knowledge to enhance the teaching of the curriculum.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
160 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
121 students
Average A level grade B-, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,026 pupils on roll, with places for 1,065
Schools near Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ullswater Community College | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.0 |
| Appleby Grammar School | 12 miles | Report card: Expected standard | Attainment 8: 40.7 |
| Lime House School | 14 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 26.9 |
| Caldew School | 16 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.3 |
| Keswick School | 16 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 52.1 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- CHANGING LIVES LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Admissions
- Selective
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Headteacher David Marchant
- Phone
- 01768864621
- Address
- Ullswater Road, Penrith, CA11 7EG
- Local authority
- Westmorland and Furness
- URN
- 136732
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.