Thursby Primary School, Carlisle
Thursby Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Carlisle. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in September 2011. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in December 2022 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 11th-highest of the 40 schools in Carlisle with published results, and 6,288th of 14,452 across England. It was 64% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2011)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Cumberland (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Thursby Primary School in detail
Thursby Primary School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a pleasure to lead a school where excellence in education is not only our priority but also deeply rooted in the values of community, respect, and collaboration. At Thursby Primary School, we are committed to providing a high standard of education that nurtures the academic, social, and emotional growth of every child."
The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £3 per session.
Headteacher's welcome (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 79% of Year 6 pupils at Thursby Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 79% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Cumberland and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 79% in reading and 63% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Thursby Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 12 families put Thursby Primary School as their first choice and 19 named it as one of their preferences, for 12 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Thursby Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Thursby Primary School are Rosley CofE School (1.7 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths); Great Orton Primary School (2.4 miles, Good, 60% reading, 90% maths); St Michael's CofE Primary School (2.6 miles, Good, 74% reading, 55% maths); and Wiggonby CofE School (2.7 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths).
Thursby Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.
Rosley CofE SchoolGreat Orton Primary SchoolSt Michael's CofE Primary SchoolWiggonby CofE School
Who goes there
16.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 7 pupils (6.4%) received SEN support and 3 (2.7%) 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.
Staffing
Thursby Primary School had 7 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Station Entrance, about 2.3 miles away in a straight line.
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Stonehouse Park (near), 290 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Cumberland (22).
Suspensions and exclusions
Thursby Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoThis judgement is from September 2011, 15 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its September 2011 inspection - unchanged since its previous inspection.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
16.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 79% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 63% to 79% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 79% to 84% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
27.5
Avg class size
24.0
Infant (KS1)
28.0
KS2
4
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from Thursby Primary School
From Thursby Primary School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Thursby Primary School
Term dates
Thursby Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Cumberland. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Wednesday 2 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Tuesday 5 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Friday 16 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Monday 6 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Wednesday 5 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028)
- Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Thursday 20 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Thursby Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Thursby Primary School is in Cumberland; for families living there:
- Cumberland's school travel policy: Step by step guide of the Home to School Travel Assistance Policy
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Cumberland is 5 (the median across 179 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Thursby Primary School
Will you get a place at Thursby Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Thursby Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Thursby Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Thursby Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Cumberland, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Thursby Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Cumberland got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
64%
Available places
98 pupils
154 places
56 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Carlisle
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Carlisle
Across Cumberland council
Places available
3,537
Applications
2,352
Got 1st preference
98.2%
Got preferred school
99.7%
All primary applications across Cumberland council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(6)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
7
SEN Support
3
EHC Plans
9.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
110
Total Pupils
52
Boys
58
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
7
Teachers
15.7:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£51,614
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,621
Per pupil
£705k
Total funding
£29k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.4%
Overall absence
6.9%
Persistent absence
87
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Thursby Primary School
What are SATs results like at Thursby Primary School?
Of the pupils at Thursby Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 79% reached the expected standard in reading and 79% did so in maths.
What is Thursby Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Thursby Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in December 2022, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in September 2011, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Thursby Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Thursby Primary School is oversubscribed, Cumberland allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Thursby Primary School?
Thursby Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 64% of its 154 places.
How big are the classes at Thursby Primary School?
Classes at Thursby Primary School average 27.5 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Thursby Primary School?
Thursby Primary School has around 110 pupils on roll. 16% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Thursby Primary School?
4.4% of sessions were missed at Thursby Primary School in 2024/25. 6.9% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Thursby Primary School?
Apply through Cumberland's coordinated admissions process, naming Thursby Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
What are Thursby Primary School's term dates?
Thursby Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Cumberland. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Wednesday 2 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Tuesday 5 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Friday 16 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Monday 6 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Wednesday 5 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028); Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Thursday 20 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
How many road collisions happen near Thursby Primary School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Cumberland is 5 (the median across 179 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Thursby Primary School?
Thursby Primary School is at Thursby, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA5 6PN.
Sources: Cumberland term dates; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)