Bassenthwaite Primary School, Keswick
Bassenthwaite Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Keswick, part of Keswick School Multi Academy Trust. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, ended in a report card: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Before that it was rated Good at its last graded inspection, in January 2011. It was 41% full in 2025.
- Ofsted report card
- 1 of 7 areas strong or better
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Cumberland (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Bassenthwaite Primary School in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 2 June 2026 inspection grades Bassenthwaite Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion is highly effective at this school."
Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well over time."
Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils' attendance is a clear success for the school and has improved over time."
Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Recently, leaders have strengthened the curriculum."
Early years - Expected standard. "Children experience a nurturing start to their school journey."
Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors share a clear understanding of the school's context, strengths and areas for improvement."
Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a broad programme of personal development."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that pupils have regular, well-matched opportunities to practise handwriting so that errors reduce and pupils write with greater accuracy"; "Leaders should complete their curriculum refinements, ensuring that the knowledge different year groups need to learn and remember is clearly defined across the curriculum".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Getting a place at Bassenthwaite Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 5 families put Bassenthwaite Primary School as their first choice and 10 named it as one of their preferences, for 6 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Bassenthwaite Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Bassenthwaite Primary School are Ireby CofE School (4.4 miles, Good); St Michael's CofE Primary School (5.5 miles, Good, 78% reading, 67% maths); and Lorton School (5.7 miles, Good, 67% reading, 67% maths).
Ireby CofE SchoolSt Michael's CofE Primary SchoolLorton School
The trust
Bassenthwaite Primary School is one of 2 schools run by Keswick School Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.
Who goes there
16.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 1 pupils (4.2%) received SEN support and 1 (4.2%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.
Staffing
Bassenthwaite Primary School had 3 teachers in 2026, one for every 7 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Bassenthwaite Primary School.
3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Village turn (at), 110 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 5 crimes within a mile of the school, most often other theft, criminal damage and arson and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Cumberland (22).
Suspensions and exclusions
Bassenthwaite Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- InclusionStrong standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
Safeguarding standards: met
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at Bassenthwaite Primary School
Pupils are proud to belong to this small, friendly school where 'big opportunities' are part of everyday life. They arrive each morning to warm greetings from staff who know them well. This helps pupils feel settled, safe and ready to learn. Children in the early years enjoy their time in school, playing and learning with others. They quickly learn routines and explore the indoor and outdoor areas with confidence. Pupils enjoy their learning and talk enthusiastically about the subjects they study. They say that teachers help them understand new ideas. Those pupils who find learning more difficult receive thoughtful support. This helps them to take part in lessons and make progress. Pupils enjoy the chance to apply their learning in real-life contexts, such as financial literacy projects and outdoor learning activities. Pupils feel a close connection to their school and community. They describe the school as a place where everyone is included and treated kindly. Mixed-age friendships are common, and pupils play happily together at social times. They enjoy the wide range of opportunities available to them. Older pupils speak with excitement about residential visits, national singing competitions and drama performances that enhance the curriculum. Pupils value the chance to contribute to the school community. Many talk proudly about the impact of fundraising for local charities. Others share pride in their efforts in litter picking and shrub planting within their local rural community. Through roles as school councillors, pupils work with leaders to set out wider enrichment opportunities. Pupils behave well and understand the routines that help the school run smoothly. Incidents of poor behaviour are rare, and staff deal with them quickly and fairly. Pupils feel safe and can explain how to stay safe online and within their locality. Pupils understand why coming to school every day matters. By the time they leave, pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should ensure that pupils have regular, well-matched opportunities to practise handwriting so that errors reduce and pupils write with greater accuracy.
- Leaders should complete their curriculum refinements, ensuring that the knowledge different year groups need to learn and remember is clearly defined across the curriculum.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 2 June 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Bassenthwaite Primary School excels at creating an inclusive, nurturing environment where every child feels known, valued and supported. Pupils achieve well with above-average outcomes, and the school works closely with families to remove barriers so all children can thrive. The warm relationships between staff and pupils, combined with personalised support for those who need it, help children feel safe, settled and ready to learn.
Key Strengths
- Highly effective inclusion with quick identification of pupils' needs and swift, personalised support put in place
- Above-average attendance rates achieved through close work with families to remove barriers
- Well-delivered teaching with staff who have secure subject knowledge and explain ideas clearly
- Strong focus on early reading, phonics and number with positive impact on pupil progress
- Warm and respectful relationships that help pupils feel secure and confident
Areas for Improvement
- Handwriting remains inconsistent across the school with insufficient practice opportunities designed into tasks
- Some areas of the curriculum lack precisely defined knowledge expectations for different year groups, limiting depth of learning
- Need to continue strengthening the broader curriculum beyond the prioritised subjects of early reading, phonics, mathematics and writing
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and managed, and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Art club, gardening club, creative club, taskmaster club, outdoor learning, residential visits, sports coaching, music tuition, financial literacy events, careers events, fundraising, litter picking, planting projects
Bassenthwaite Primary School is a small, friendly school where pupils feel safe, settled and proud to belong. Published outcomes are above national averages and the school provides a nurturing, inclusive environment with strong support for all learners.
At a Glance
16.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
5.5
Avg class size
2
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Bassenthwaite Primary School
Term dates
Bassenthwaite Primary School is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Cumberland's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Bassenthwaite Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Bassenthwaite Primary School is in Cumberland; for families living there:
- Cumberland's school travel policy: Step by step guide of the Home to School Travel Assistance Policy
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Cumberland is 5 (the median across 179 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Bassenthwaite Primary School
Will you get a place at Bassenthwaite Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Bassenthwaite Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Bassenthwaite Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Bassenthwaite Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Cumberland, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Bassenthwaite Primary School for 2018 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Cumberland got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
£9.99 once
One school, inc. VAT. Or £19.99 for up to three schools.
Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time
A report for any school, plus everything else in Pro.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
41%
Available places
20 pupils
49 places
29 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Keswick
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Keswick
Across Cumberland council
Places available
3,537
Applications
2,352
Got 1st preference
98.2%
Got preferred school
99.7%
All primary applications across Cumberland council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(5)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
1
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
8.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
24
Total Pupils
10
Boys
14
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
3
Teachers
8.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£53,490
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£13,649
Per pupil
£330k
Total funding
£5k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.0%
Overall absence
0.0%
Persistent absence
19
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Bassenthwaite Primary School
What is Bassenthwaite Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Bassenthwaite Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in January 2011, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Bassenthwaite Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Bassenthwaite Primary School is oversubscribed, Cumberland allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Bassenthwaite Primary School?
Bassenthwaite Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 41% of its 49 places.
How big are the classes at Bassenthwaite Primary School?
Classes at Bassenthwaite Primary School average 5.5 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Bassenthwaite Primary School?
Bassenthwaite Primary School has around 24 pupils on roll. 17% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Bassenthwaite Primary School?
3% of sessions were missed at Bassenthwaite Primary School in 2024/25. 0% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Bassenthwaite Primary School?
Apply through Cumberland's coordinated admissions process, naming Bassenthwaite Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Bassenthwaite Primary School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Cumberland is 5 (the median across 179 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Bassenthwaite Primary School?
Bassenthwaite Primary School is at Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QH.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)