Waberthwaite CofE School

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

Waberthwaite, Millom, LA19 5YJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Waberthwaite CofE School is a primary school in Millom for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 178 schools in Cumberland. It ranks 83rd of 111 primary schools in Cumberland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2019.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 2 July 2019, report published 18 July 2019

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 November 2024

Pupils are friendly and polite. Just as the school's vision states, they strive to ensure that they all 'fit together', which includes celebrating any differences between themselves and others. Staff create a strong culture so that new pupils feel welcome in the school. Most pupils achieve well, they work hard to live up to the school's high expectations for their achievement and behaviour. Pupils show enthusiasm in lessons and take pride in their work. Children in the early years learn in a calm and settled environment. They benefit from clear routines and expectations, which help them to make a positive start to their education. Older pupils behave well in classrooms and around the school. The school serves a small and rural community. As such, the school is determined for pupils to be prepared well for life beyond school and their immediate locality. It provides opportunities for pupils to visit cities, such as Liverpool including a ferry trip, and Manchester. The school welcomes regular visitors, such as an imam from Bradford, to widen pupils' knowledge of other cultures. Pupils learn how to lead safe and healthy lifestyles.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, assessment systems are overly complex, so teachers are not clear about the essential knowledge that pupils need to know and remember. As a result, teachers are not able to accurately check whether pupils' knowledge builds over time. The school should clarify the essential knowledge in these subjects so it can more easily assess how well pupils achieve.
  • The PSHE programme is not routinely implemented as the school intends. As a result, pupils' understanding, including of fundamental British values, is not as strong as it could be. The school should ensure that the PSHE programme is delivered consistently.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

7 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths43%

43%, 19 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 score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

56 pupils on roll, with places for 70

Eligible for free school meals3.6%

3.6%, 22.9 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 support19.6%

19.6%, 4.8 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.4%

5.4%, 0.6 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Waberthwaite CofE School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Captain Shaw's CofE School3 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
St Bega's CofE Primary School5 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to goodNot published
Seascale Primary School6 milesOfsted: Good55% met the expected standard
Gosforth CofE Primary School and Nursery7 milesOfsted: Good81% met the expected standard
Thwaites School7 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding29% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Voluntary aided school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Church of England
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Sandra Cummings
Address
Waberthwaite, Millom, LA19 5YJ
Local authority
Cumberland
URN
112352

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.