Valley Primary School and Nursery

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

Whinlatter Road, Whitehaven, CA28 8DAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Valley Primary School and Nursery is a primary school in Whitehaven for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 178 schools in Cumberland. It ranks 11th of 11 primary schools in Whitehaven. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2015.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 3 March 2015, report published 26 March 2015

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 March 2024

Pupils are happy and cheerful at this school. They confidently greet visitors and are friendly and inquisitive. Staff have built warm and positive relationships with pupils. Pupils know that they are well cared for. They appreciate the support that staff give them if they are upset or worried. Pupils welcome the opportunity to learn from each other. For example, they openly share their beliefs, cultures and values and celebrate difference and diversity. This helps to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain and helps them to develop respect and tolerance for others. The school has high expectations for pupils' achievement. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), try their best in lessons. They think carefully about what they are learning. For example, they analyse and question information that they are given and use their prior knowledge to make sense of new learning. Most pupils achieve well. Pupils value the many chances that they have to take part in activities, such as choir, gymnastics, crochet and craft clubs. They enjoy competing in sports competitions and tournaments. Pupils take great pride in the successes that they have in such events.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, teachers do not consistently identify and address errors and misconceptions in pupils' learning. This means that some pupils' learning is not as secure as it should be. The school should ensure that pupils have securely grasped curriculum content before moving them on to new learning.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

33 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths36%

36%, 26 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 score98

98, 8 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score99

99, 6 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score99

99, 6 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

286 pupils on roll, with places for 294

Eligible for free school meals38.1%

38.1%, 11.6 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7.3%

7.3%, 14.3 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support31.8%

31.8%, 17 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 Valley Primary School and Nursery

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant School0.7 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Hensingham Primary School0.8 milesOfsted: Good50% met the expected standard
Monkwray Junior School1 mileOfsted: Good41% met the expected standard
Jericho Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good89% met the expected standard
St Mary's Catholic Primary School1 mileOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding76% 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
Mrs Sarah Jardine
Address
Whinlatter Road, Whitehaven, CA28 8DA
Local authority
Cumberland
URN
134214

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.