Kendal Nursery School, Kendal
Kendal Nursery School is a nursery school for pupils aged 2 to 4 in Kendal. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in January 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2014)
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Kendal Nursery School in detail
Who goes there
11% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 7.6% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 2 pupils (1.7%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Station Entrance, about 900 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hollin Garth (by), 110 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 154 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Westmorland and Furness (11), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 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: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Kendal Nursery School creates an inspiring learning environment where children develop confidence, independence, and a love of learning. The school excels at nurturing communication skills and emotional development while providing tailored support for all children, including those with additional needs. Children are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage of education through an ambitious curriculum and strong community connections.
Key Strengths
- Extensive outdoor learning environment that inspires awe and wonder, with children developing creativity and problem-solving skills
- Exceptional support for children's communication and language development through animated storytelling and ambitious vocabulary
- Highly effective support for children with special educational needs, working with external agencies to identify and meet needs swiftly
- Children develop extremely positive attitudes to learning with high levels of resilience and concentration
- Strong emphasis on diversity and community engagement, with children meeting people from different professions and interacting with the local community
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective.
Extracurricular Activities
Breakfast club, after-school provision, outdoor exploration, visits to local care homes, community outings, watching live demonstrations (sheep shearing)
Kendal Nursery School has maintained its outstanding standards and continues to provide excellent quality education. Children thoroughly enjoy attending and engage in broad, exciting learning experiences across a remarkable outdoor environment.
At a Glance
11.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Keep up with Kendal Nursery School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Kendal Nursery School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Kendal Nursery School is in Westmorland and Furness; for families living there:
- Westmorland and Furness's school travel policy: Home to School Transport Policy 2027 to 2028 (Reception to Year 11)
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 14
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 14 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 11 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt.
6 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 Westmorland and Furness is 3 (the median across 161 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
Capacity & Demand
Area Demand Pressure - Kendal
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Kendal
Across Westmorland and Furness council
Places available
2,857
Applications
1,903
Got 1st preference
96.4%
Got preferred school
99.5%
All secondary applications across Westmorland and Furness council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
2
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
1.7%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
118
Total Pupils
60
Boys
58
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
6
Teachers
19.7:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£53,930
Mean salary
2026 data
Questions parents ask about Kendal Nursery School
What is Kendal Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
Kendal Nursery School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2014, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Kendal Nursery School?
No fixed boundary. When Kendal Nursery School is oversubscribed, Westmorland and Furness allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Kendal Nursery School?
Kendal Nursery School has around 118 pupils on roll. 11% are eligible for free school meals.
How do I apply to Kendal Nursery School?
Apply through Westmorland and Furness's coordinated admissions process, naming Kendal Nursery School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Kendal Nursery School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 14 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 11 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt. 6 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 Westmorland and Furness is 3 (the median across 161 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Kendal Nursery School?
Kendal Nursery School is at Brantfield, Queens Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4PH.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)