Distington Community School, Workington

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are an inclusive school that takes pride in our work to provide long lasting memories for all children. Our key priority is that every child and member of our school family is safe, healthy and happy to learn. Children and staff create an environment with exceptionally high behaviour expectations, which create respect, trust and peace."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, Lego, art and film.

In 2025, 36% of Year 6 pupils at Distington Community School reached the expected standard in reading and 27% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Cumberland and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 67% in reading and 56% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 6 families put Distington Community School as their first choice and 11 named it as one of their preferences, for 6 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Distington Community School are Beckstone Primary School (1.4 miles, Good, 85% reading, 75% maths); St Mary's Catholic Primary School (1.6 miles, Good, 90% reading, 86% maths); Lowca Community School (1.6 miles, Good, 50% reading, 50% maths); and Westfield Nursery and Primary School (2.2 miles, Good, 79% reading, 64% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Distington Community School.

12 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Distington Community School (as of September 2025): 83% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they would recommend the school (83%).

36% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 2.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 3 pupils (2.6%) received SEN support and 7 (6.1%) 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 Harrington Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Chapel Street (near), 140 metres away.

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

In August 2026, police recorded 7 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Cumberland (22).

In 2024/25, Distington Community School issued 1 suspension, 0.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.