Kirkby Stephen Primary School, Kirkby Stephen

Ofsted's report card from its 14 July 2026 inspection grades Kirkby Stephen Primary School on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils achieve extremely well across the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have created a culture of high expectations."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, enjoy learning in classrooms where they are encouraged to think, discuss and challenge themselves."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders have established a highly effective early years provision that gives children the best possible start to their education."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have created an equitable and inclusive environment where barriers to learning for all pupils are reduced effectively."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Pupils attend a school where expectations are high."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school's approach to personal, social, health and economic education and relationships and sex education is is thoughtfully planned and delivered."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and those responsible for governance should ensure continued improvement to their curriculum implementation to achieve and sustain exceptional standards of teaching which has a transformational impact on the achievement of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who may be disadvantaged".

In 2025, 85% of Year 6 pupils at Kirkby Stephen Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 92% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 73% in Westmorland and Furness and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (83% in reading, 92% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 17 families put Kirkby Stephen Primary School as their first choice and 20 named it as one of their preferences, for 17 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 Kirkby Stephen Primary School are Brough Community Primary School (3.8 miles, Good, 88% reading, 88% maths); and Warcop CofE Primary School (4.9 miles, Good, 77% reading, 69% maths).

Kirkby Stephen Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 2 of them.

16.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 26 pupils (13.8%) received SEN support and 5 (2.6%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Kirkby Stephen Primary School had 13 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Station Entrance, about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Costa Coffee (outside), 230 metres away.

Kirkby Stephen Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.