Sir John Barrow School

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

Argyle Street, Sir John Barrow School, Ulverston, LA12 0BDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Sir John Barrow School is a primary school in Ulverston for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 160 schools in Westmorland and Furness. It ranks 1st of 9 primary schools in Ulverston. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in March 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 1 March 2023, report published 9 May 2023

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 March 2023

Pupils love their school. Some even used words like 'amazing' to describe it. Their strong relationships with staff help pupils feel safe, happy and secure. They know who to speak to if they have any worries. Pupils said that everyone is welcome here, no matter what their differences. Leaders and teachers have the highest expectations for pupils' achievement and behaviour. Pupils try their best at all times. They listen carefully and work hard in lessons. Pupils know that if they ask for help they will receive it readily. Pupils achieve highly, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Throughout the school from the Nursery to Year 6, behaviour is exemplary. The youngest children soon learn to follow the simple, predictable routines that adults provide. Older pupils set an excellent example to younger ones when they walk sensibly around school. Pupils understand the difference between normal disagreements and bullying. Leaders and adults put a swift stop to bullying should ever it occur. Pupils benefit from an inspiring programme of activities for their personal development. These activities are exciting and challenging. For example, pupils learn to sail canoes in the Lake District. They learn to speak in public when they enter local poetry-reading festivals. Pupils have opportunities to represent their school in sports competitions. The wide range of after-school activities is as diverse as origami and tag rugby. All pupils participate in these activities, including pupils with SEND.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

32 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths72%

72%, 10 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths6%

6%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

235 pupils on roll, with places for 300

Eligible for free school meals13.2%

13.2%, 13.3 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4.7%

4.7%, 16.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.6%

10.6%, 4.2 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan6.8%

6.8%, 0.8 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Sir John Barrow School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Ulverston0.3 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard65% met the expected standard
Church Walk CofE Primary School0.4 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard69% met the expected standard
Croftlands Junior School0.8 milesOfsted: Good50% met the expected standard
Croftlands Infant School0.8 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Pennington CofE School2 milesOfsted: Good65% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr David Reddy
Address
Argyle Street, Sir John Barrow School, Ulverston, LA12 0BD
URN
112232

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.