Fairfield Primary School, Cockermouth
Fairfield Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Cockermouth, part of Learning for Life Trust. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in September 2023 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 3rd-highest of the 7 schools in Cockermouth with published results, and 2,040th of 14,452 across England. It was 96% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2014)
- 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
Fairfield Primary School in detail
Fairfield Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "With a sense of belonging, children will embark on a journey of discovery embedded in a school that is holistic, forward thinking, research informed and where all staff are committed to maintaining high expectations equipping all children to excel and thrive in a rapidly evolving world."
From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to welcome you to Fairfield Primary, an award-winning school at the heart of its community, where every child is known, valued and encouraged to achieve their very best."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include swimming, yoga, dance, drama, choir, guitar, STEM, eco club, debating and forest school.
The school runs after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 85% of Year 6 pupils at Fairfield Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 92% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Cumberland and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 78% in reading and 80% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Fairfield Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 47 families put Fairfield Primary School as their first choice and 71 named it as one of their preferences, for 47 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Fairfield Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Fairfield Primary School are All Saints' CofE School (0.7 miles, Good, 45% reading, 42% maths); All Saints' CofE School (0.7 miles); Eaglesfield Paddle CofE Primary Academy (1.7 miles, Good, 89% reading, 93% maths); and Bridekirk Dovenby CofE Primary School (2 miles, Outstanding, 93% reading, 87% maths).
Fairfield Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.
All Saints' CofE SchoolAll Saints' CofE SchoolEaglesfield Paddle CofE Primary AcademyBridekirk Dovenby CofE Primary School
The trust
Fairfield Primary School is one of 4 schools run by Learning for Life Trust, an academy trust.
Who goes there
6.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Fairfield Primary School.
11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fairfield Junior School (near), 60 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 36 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cumberland (22), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Fairfield Primary School issued 5 suspensions, 1.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoThis judgement is from October 2014, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its October 2014 inspection - down from Outstanding.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
6.2%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 78% to 85% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 80% to 92% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 78% to 89% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
29.5
Avg class size
27.7
Infant (KS1)
31.0
KS2
15
Total classes
5 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Fairfield Primary School
Term dates
Fairfield 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 Fairfield Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Fairfield 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)
- Collisions
- 11
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 5
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 6 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
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 Fairfield Primary School
Will you get a place at Fairfield Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Fairfield Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Fairfield Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Fairfield 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 Fairfield Primary School for 2016 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.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
96%
Near capacity
402 pupils
420 places
18 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Cockermouth
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Cockermouth
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(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
51
SEN Support
20
EHC Plans
15.6%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
455
Total Pupils
220
Boys
235
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
23
Teachers
19.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£49,893
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£4,955
Per pupil
£2145k
Total funding
£36k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.0%
Overall absence
4.0%
Persistent absence
350
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Fairfield Primary School
Questions parents ask about Fairfield Primary School
What are SATs results like at Fairfield Primary School?
Of the pupils at Fairfield Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 85% reached the expected standard in reading and 92% did so in maths.
What is Fairfield Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Fairfield Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in September 2023, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2014, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Fairfield Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Fairfield 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 Fairfield Primary School?
Fairfield Primary School was close to full in 2025, at 96% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at Fairfield Primary School?
Classes at Fairfield Primary School average 29.5 pupils (2025/26). 5 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Fairfield Primary School?
Fairfield Primary School has around 455 pupils on roll. 6% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Fairfield Primary School?
3% of sessions were missed at Fairfield Primary School in 2024/25. 4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Fairfield Primary School?
Apply through Cumberland's coordinated admissions process, naming Fairfield 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 Fairfield Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 6 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Cumberland is 5 (the median across 179 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Fairfield Primary School?
Fairfield Primary School is at Gallowbarrow, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0DX.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)