Petteril Bank School, Carlisle

Ofsted's report card from its 10 March 2026 inspection grades Petteril Bank School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have eradicated a culture of poor attendance."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, typically achieve well across many curriculum subjects."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have taken effective steps to improve the school's curriculum offer, ensuring that it is well designed and taught effectively."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a positive start in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have made substantial improvements to the systems and processes that identify and assess pupils' individual needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have completely turned around the fortunes of this school and have built positive relationships with parents, carers and the community."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The way that staff nurture and care for pupils is a standout feature of the school's work."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and staff should further develop their assessment strategies to swiftly identify and address pupils' misconceptions and knowledge gaps. This includes in the early years and aspects of the personal development programme"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils acquire the fundamental writing and spelling skills that they need to express their thinking well throughout the curriculum"; "Staff in the early years should maximise their opportunities to engage with children to deepen their learning and build their communication skills".

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Petteril Bank, we believe in fostering an environment filled with happiness and a love for learning . Our mission is to prepare students not just academically, but also with essential life skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. We are committed to instilling the values of respect , resilience , and responsibility in every student."

In 2025, 55% of Year 6 pupils at Petteril Bank School reached the expected standard in reading and 55% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Cumberland and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 29% in reading and 57% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 15 families put Petteril Bank School as their first choice and 20 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 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 Petteril Bank School are Inglewood Infant School (0.5 miles, Good); Inglewood Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 62% reading, 66% maths); Upperby Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 80% reading, 71% maths); and St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle (0.7 miles, 59% reading, 66% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Petteril Bank School.

Petteril Bank School is one of 17 schools run by Cumbria Education Trust, an academy trust.

23 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Petteril Bank School (as of April 2026): 91% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

49% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 18 pupils (12.2%) received SEN support and 11 (7.5%) 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.

Petteril Bank School had 10 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 Carlisle Rail Station, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Haig Road (outside), 170 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 134 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 Cumberland (22), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Petteril Bank School issued 3 suspensions, 1.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Petteril Bank School are St John Henry Newman Catholic School (0.9 miles) and Richard Rose Central Academy (1.7 miles).