St Bridget's CofE School, Whitehaven

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades St Bridget's CofE 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.

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders make astute decisions about how to deliver the early years curriculum so that it is of a consistently high quality."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils generally achieve well and make suitable progress through the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have a precise understanding of the challenges that impact pupils' attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear view of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff know pupils well."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors have a clear, shared vision for the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils' personal development is promoted well."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should strengthen the targets for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities so that the curriculum can be consistently well matched to pupils' next steps and enables them to achieve more highly"; "Leaders should ensure that teaching enables pupils to make clear links between prior and new learning so that they deepen their understanding and develop detailed knowledge across the curriculum".

In 2025, 36% of Year 6 pupils at St Bridget's CofE School reached the expected standard in reading and 36% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Cumberland and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 88% in reading and 88% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 5 families put St Bridget's CofE School as their first choice and 6 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 St Bridget's CofE School are Bransty Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 63% reading, 52% maths); Lowca Community School (1 mile, Good, 50% reading, 50% maths); Moresby Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 90% reading, 85% maths); and St James' CofE Junior School (1.3 miles, Good, 82% reading, 85% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than St Bridget's CofE School.

4.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 20 pupils (30.3%) received SEN support and 2 (3%) 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 moderate learning difficulty.

St Bridget's CofE School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Station Entrance, about 80 metres away (roughly a 1-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ramsey Drive (outside), 210 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Cumberland (22).

In 2024/25, St Bridget's CofE School issued 2 suspensions, 2.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.