Plumpton School, PENRITH

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades Plumpton School on 7 areas: 3 expected standard and 4 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 communicate clearly the importance of pupils attending school regularly."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders build positive relationships with parents and carers as soon as pupils join the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Promoting pupils' personal development is at the heart of this school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Leaders have not ensured that pupils secure the important knowledge and skills they need, particularly in mathematics."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have not ensured that teaching of the new curriculum content is consistently well matched to what pupils know and need to know next."

Early years - Needs attention. "Despite recent improvements, the curriculum does not provide sufficient clarity about the progression of intended learning from Nursery to Reception."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Governors understand and are committed to their roles."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment effectively, so that the implementation of the curriculum is consistently well matched to what pupils' need to know and addresses gaps in their understanding, so that they achieve well"; "Leaders should ensure that the curriculum in the early years precisely defines what children should know and be able to do at each stage, so that they consistently build on their learning"; "Governors should strengthen their oversight of the curriculum quality and impact, so that they are able to provide effective challenge and support to leaders"; "Leaders should ensure that they continue to embed the personal development programme, so that pupils further deepen their knowledge of fundamental British values".

In 2025, 64% of Year 6 pupils at Plumpton School reached the expected standard in reading and 64% 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 (75% in reading, 50% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 18 families put Plumpton School as their first choice and 39 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Plumpton School are Calthwaite CofE School (2.7 miles, Good, 71% reading, 86% maths); Lazonby C of E Primary School (3.7 miles, Good, 73% reading, 73% maths); Skelton School (4 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths); and St Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Penrith (4.2 miles, 44% reading, 50% maths).

Plumpton School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

40 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Plumpton School (as of April 2026): 93% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 78% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (95%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (78%).

5.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 10 pupils (9.8%) received SEN support and 2 (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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Plumpton School had 6 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 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 Plumpton School.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School (near), 20 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Westmorland and Furness (11).

In 2024/25, Plumpton School issued 1 suspension, 1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.