Penruddock Primary School, Penrith

Ofsted's report card from its 27 January 2026 inspection grades Penruddock Primary School on 7 areas: 4 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have high expectations for attendance."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years make a positive start to their education."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a secure and well-informed understanding of the school's context."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils follow a personal development programme that is generally designed well."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Some pupils do not achieve as well as they could."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Teachers do not routinely check what pupils know and can do before introducing new learning."

Inclusion - Needs attention. "Leaders do not identify some pupils' needs precisely."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the graduated approach provides teachers with clear and precise guidance to adapt their teaching so that pupils with barriers to their learning achieve well"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers identify and address gaps in pupils' foundational knowledge so that pupils build secure knowledge over time"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers design activities to help pupils learn new knowledge securely and make connections with what they have learned previously".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Penruddock Primary School-a small, nurturing school at the heart of our vibrant village community, set within the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District National Park. I feel privileged to serve as Executive Head Teacher of Penruddock Primary School and Hawkshead Esthwaite Primary School."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 88% of Year 6 pupils at Penruddock Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 75% 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 (100% in reading, 67% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 5 families put Penruddock Primary School as their first choice and 11 named it as one of their preferences, for 5 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 Penruddock Primary School are Greystoke Primary School (2.1 miles, Good); Stainton CofE Primary School (3.4 miles, Good, 68% reading, 58% maths); and Skelton School (4.8 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths).

Penruddock Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 2 schools.

30 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Penruddock Primary School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 100% 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 are kept well informed about progress (77%).

2.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 12 pupils (25%) received SEN support and 2 (4.2%) 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.

Penruddock Primary School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 10 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Penruddock Primary School.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Herdwick Inn (near), 70 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Westmorland and Furness (11).

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