Richard Rose Morton Academy, Carlisle
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Richard Rose Morton Academy excels at supporting all pupils, particularly those with additional needs and disadvantaged backgrounds. The school has created a safe, caring environment where pupils feel happy and behave well, with staff providing high-quality pastoral care. Pupils benefit from an ambitious curriculum, strong subject teaching, and a wide range of enrichment activities that build resilience and prepare them for their futures.
Key Strengths
- Well-designed and ambitious curriculum that helps pupils build on their prior knowledge
- Expert support for pupils with SEND using effective strategies tailored to individual needs
- Strong pastoral care and safeguarding with established routines that create a culture ready for learning
- Most teachers have strong subject knowledge, supported by significant investment in staff training
- Effective behaviour management with consistent rewards systems and improved attendance
Areas for Improvement
- Pupils are moved on to new learning before fully consolidating what has been taught, leading to misconceptions and hindered progress
- Insufficient opportunities for pupils to read for pleasure across the curriculum, limiting their reading habits and broader benefits
- 2024 exam attainment was significantly below national average in several subjects, though current pupils are progressing well
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff caring deeply for pupils' well-being and pupils having confidence that staff will act on their concerns.
Extracurricular Activities
rounders, cooking, choir, debating, Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Richard Rose Morton Academy is a secondary comprehensive school that has made significant improvements since its previous inspection. The school provides pupils with an ambitious curriculum, strong pastoral care, and a positive learning environment where pupils feel happy and safe.
At a Glance
26.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
139 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
26.6
Avg class size
29
Total classes
8 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Commute Calculator
Find out if this school is reachable from your home - before you apply
What are my chances?
Enter your postcode to estimate your probability of getting a place.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
101%
Over capacity
905 pupils
900 capacity
5 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Carlisle
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Carlisle
Admissions Demand - Cumberland
Places available
3,150
Applications
2,811
Got 1st preference
97.2%
Got preferred school
99.4%
Secondary admissions across Cumberland (2025/26)
Inspection History(16)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.85869%
Overall absence
15.69061%
Persistent absence
905
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
No reviews yet - be the first to leave one.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Richard Rose Morton Academy
Newlaithes Infant School
Newlaithes Junior School
Yewdale School
St Bede's Catholic Primary School
Belle Vue Primary School
Newtown Primary School
Cummersdale School
Caldew Lea School
Robert Ferguson Primary School
The Bishop Harvey Goodwin School (Church of England Voluntary Aided)
Nearby Schools
Do you work at this school?
Claim your profile free to get a verified badge, update your contact details, and see how many parents are viewing your page.