The Queen Katherine School

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 19

Report card: Expected standard to strong standard

Appleby Road, Kendal, LA9 6PJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Queen Katherine School is a secondary school in Kendal for ages 11 to 19. It is one of the 160 schools in Westmorland and Furness. It ranks 5th of 20 secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in May 2026.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 6 May 2026, report published 23 June 2026

Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.

Inclusion: Strong standard
Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard
Achievement: Expected standard
Attendance and behaviour: Strong standard
Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard
Leadership and governance: Strong standard
Post-16 provision: Strong standard
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

165 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score48.8

48.8, 2.7 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths49.7%

49.7%, 4.3 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths67.3%

67.3%, 2.5 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc30.3%

30.3%, 10.2 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.27

4.27, 0.18 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

74 students

Average point score per A level entry35.03

35.03, 0.03 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

910 pupils on roll, with places for 1,465

Eligible for free school meals15.5%

15.5%, 11 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7.8%

7.8%, 13.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support19.9%

19.9%, 5.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.9%

4.9%, 1.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Queen Katherine School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Kirkbie Kendal School	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 50.1
Dallam School	8 miles	Report card: Needs attention to expected standard	Attainment 8: 44.1
The Lakes School	8 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 46.8
Sedbergh School	8 miles	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 27.9
Settlebeck School	9 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good	Attainment 8: 44.0

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: CUMBRIA EDUCATION TRUST
Age range: 11 to 19
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mr Jon Hayes
Phone: 01539743900
Website: qks.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Appleby Road, Kendal, LA9 6PJ
Local authority: Westmorland and Furness
URN: 136526

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.