St Matthew's CofE School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Westnewton, Wigton, CA7 3NTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St Matthew's CofE School is a primary school in Wigton for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 178 schools in Cumberland. It ranks 55th of 111 primary schools in Cumberland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 28 November 2023, report published 22 January 2024

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

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 November 2023

Pupils enjoy attending this happy and caring school. They appreciate the positive relationships they have with each other and with staff. Pupils told inspectors that they feel confident to speak to trusted adults in school. They said that any worries they have are quickly resolved by staff. Pupils were actively involved in developing the school's values and expectations for their behaviour. They live out these values through their words and actions each day. For instance, pupils build positive friendships, and they treat each other with kindness and respect. Pupils behave well during lessons and at breaktimes. The school has high expectations of what all pupils should achieve. Since the previous inspection, the school has taken appropriate steps to strengthen the curriculum. It has ensured that there is clarity about what pupils should learn from the early years to the end of Year 6. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well across the curriculum. Pupils carry out their roles and responsibilities with pride. They told inspectors about the achievements of the school's 'dream team'. For example, these pupils have introduced successful recycling initiatives, and they have contributed positively to the development of a local play area.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of subjects, some aspects of the new curriculums are not being implemented as well as intended. This means that pupils, including children in the early years, are not building their knowledge as securely as they should in these subjects. The school should ensure that pupils gain the depth of knowledge that they need in each subject to be sufficiently well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

7 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths57%

57%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

51 pupils on roll, with places for 56

Eligible for free school meals5.9%

5.9%, 20.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0%

0%, 21.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.7%

13.7%, 1.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2%

2%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St Matthew's CofE School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Richmond Hill School2 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard59% met the expected standard
Oughterside Primary School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Holme St Cuthbert School3 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Blennerhasset School3 milesOfsted: Good29% met the expected standard
Plumbland CofE School3 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard67% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Voluntary aided school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Church of England
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Miss Helen Harrison
Address
Westnewton, Wigton, CA7 3NT
Local authority
Cumberland
URN
112308

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.