Cambridge Primary School, Barrow-in-Furness

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Cambridge Primary School on 7 areas: 3 expected standard and 4 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders emphasise the importance of attendance and punctuality."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders provide training for staff so they can identify pupils' needs quickly."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders give priority to pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Some pupils do not secure the foundational knowledge they need in writing."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Weaknesses in the teaching of writing mean that some pupils do not secure the foundations they need in spelling and handwriting."

Early years - Needs attention. "Leaders have not made sure the curriculum identifies the important knowledge children in the early years should learn or how this builds over time."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders have not improved some important areas of the school's work well enough."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should strengthen the teaching of writing so that pupils secure accurate spelling and fluent handwriting"; "Leaders should refine the early years curriculum so that it is well sequenced and ensures that children are well prepared for Year 1"; "Leaders should evaluate the implementation and impact of improvement plans more effectively so that weaknesses are identified early and improvements are secured quickly and consistently".

In its own words: "Our children will learn how to know themselves and to recognise their individuality, becoming confident, responsible individuals who are able to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives now and in the future. We aim to foster a love of learning, where pupils are eager to find out more and where they strive to be the best they can be."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include Lego and art.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 72% of Year 6 pupils at Cambridge Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 72% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 73% in Westmorland and Furness and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 79% in reading and 74% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 16 families put Cambridge Primary School as their first choice and 25 named it as one of their preferences, for 18 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Cambridge Primary School are Parkside Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 79% reading, 75% maths); Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow (0.4 miles, 57% reading, 76% maths); Greengate Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 74% reading, 81% maths); and St George's CofE School (0.6 miles, Good, 79% reading, 89% maths).

Cambridge Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Cambridge Primary School is one of 6 schools run by South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, an academy trust.

51.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 6.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 75 pupils (32.6%) received SEN support and 24 (10.4%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Station Entrance, about 710 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Friars Lane (near), 70 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Cambridge Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Cambridge Primary School issued 3 suspensions, 1.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Cambridge Primary School are Furness Academy (0.4 miles); St Bernards Catholic High School, Barrow (1.2 miles); and Chetwynde School (1.4 miles).