Thwaites School
Hallthwaites, Millom, LA18 5HPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Thwaites School is a primary school in Millom for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 178 schools in Cumberland. It ranks 95th of 111 primary schools in Cumberland. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in July 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 15 July 2025, report published 18 September 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 15 July 2025
This small, rural school offers a caring, close-knit environment where pupils feel supported. Pupils and their families receive a warm welcome at the school gate. In the playground, pupils are happy to see one another. Friendships form across year groups and pupils feel safe in this friendly school community. The school has high expectations for pupils' achievement. Staff know pupils well. They help pupils to thrive and enjoy their learning. Typically, this enables pupils to be well prepared for the next stage of their education. At breaktime, pupils play together cooperatively. They enjoy activities such as football, climbing and exploring nature in the school grounds. Older pupils enjoy helping younger pupils with their games. Pupils follow routines that keep breaktimes safe and enjoyable for everyone. Pupils benefit greatly from the wide range of clubs on offer. Popular choices include art, 'taskmaster', dance and dodgeball. These activities help pupils to develop their talents, build confidence and learn new skills. Pupils attend regularly and talk about them with excitement. Pupils take pride in leadership roles, such as library monitors, shopkeepers or school council members. These responsibilities promote independence and teamwork. They also make a strong contribution to pupils' personal development. Pupils grow in confidence and show a clear sense of responsibility.
What the school should improve
- In a small number of subjects, the school has not sequenced the key knowledge that should be taught. This means that, at times, teaching activities do not build on prior learning. This can limit pupils' depth of understanding. The school should refine its curriculum in these subjects so that it is clear the order in which knowledge should be taught.
- The school does not ensure that staff have all of the information that they need about pupils with SEND. As a result, staff do not adapt some lesson activities sufficiently well so that these pupils can access the curriculum successfully. The school should ensure that staff are equipped to meet the needs of pupils with SEND well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
7 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
28 pupils on roll, with places for 56
Schools near Thwaites School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broughton CofE Primary and Nursery School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| St James' Catholic Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 64% met the expected standard |
| Black Combe Junior School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 50% met the expected standard |
| Millom Infant School | 3 miles | Report card: Urgent improvement to expected standard | Not published |
| Burlington CofE School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 36% 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 Mark Redhead
- Phone
- 01229772554
- Address
- Hallthwaites, Millom, LA18 5HP
- Local authority
- Cumberland
- URN
- 112166
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.