Houghton CofE School, Carlisle
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Houghton CofE School creates a caring, inclusive environment where children feel safe and behave well. The school excels at teaching reading through consistent phonics instruction and provides tailored support so pupils with additional needs can learn alongside their peers. Staff are approachable and committed to helping every child succeed.
Key Strengths
- Pupils behave well with calm classrooms and positive relationships - bullying and discriminatory language are rare
- Strong phonics teaching and early reading support help pupils make good progress
- Well-sequenced, broad curriculum with clear end points that builds knowledge logically
- Effective support for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils to access the same curriculum as their peers
- Leaders and staff are approachable and supportive, creating a positive school culture
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils' progress is slowed because teaching moves on before they are fully ready
- Handwriting and grammar expectations are not consistently high across all classes
- Disadvantaged pupils have historically achieved less well than similar pupils nationally
- Work to support disadvantaged pupils is still at early stages and not yet fully embedded
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has an open and positive culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Extracurricular Activities
Music tuition, judo, gymnastics, gardening clubs, residential visits, school trips, wellbeing champions, worship leaders, sports leaders, eco reds
Houghton CofE School is a Church of England primary school in Carlisle that provides a warm, inclusive environment where pupils behave well and feel safe. The school has made improvements in attendance and is strengthening its curriculum, though some pupils need better support with writing skills.
At a Glance
5.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 75%. Maths has remained stable at around 71%. Writing has improved from 72% to 79%.
Class Sizes
26.1
Avg class size
25.0
Infant (KS1)
27.0
KS2
7
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
85%
Available places
179 pupils
210 capacity
31 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Carlisle
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Carlisle
Admissions Demand - Cumberland
Places available
3,571
Applications
2,437
Got 1st preference
98.5%
Got preferred school
99.7%
Primary admissions across Cumberland (2025/26)
Inspection History(7)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.6769%
Overall absence
13.58025%
Persistent absence
162
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
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Houghton CofE School
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