Waberthwaite CofE School, Millom
Waberthwaite CofE School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Millom. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2019. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in November 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 4th-highest of the 5 schools in Millom with published results, and 9,801st of 14,452 across England. It was 69% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2019)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
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
Waberthwaite CofE School in detail
Waberthwaite CofE School in its own words
In its own words: ""Waberthwaite is a nurturing and inclusive school rooted in it's rural community." SIAMS 2026 We are individuals, created in the image of God. We celebrate how our differences complement each other; creating a community where 'we all fit together'. When our strengths are combined, we are stronger."
The school runs after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 86% of Year 6 pupils at Waberthwaite CofE School reached the expected standard in reading and 57% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Cumberland and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 83% in reading and 50% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Waberthwaite CofE School
For September 2026 entry, 7 families put Waberthwaite CofE School as their first choice and 8 named it as one of their preferences, for 7 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 Waberthwaite CofE School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Waberthwaite CofE School are Captain Shaw's CofE School (3.2 miles, Good); and St Bega's CofE Primary School (5 miles, Good).
What parents say
29 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Waberthwaite CofE School (as of September 2025): 86% would recommend the school, 86% 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 (97%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).
Who goes there
3.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
Staffing
Waberthwaite CofE School had 4 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 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 War Memorial (opposite), 70 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often drug offences and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Cumberland (22).
Suspensions and exclusions
Waberthwaite CofE 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; Ofsted Parent View; 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
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from July 2019, 7 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school creates a welcoming, calm learning environment where pupils work hard and take pride in their work. Staff are skilled at helping children develop strong reading skills early on and quickly supporting anyone who needs extra help. The school goes beyond lessons to prepare children for life beyond their rural location, with trips to cities and visits from people of different cultures.
Key Strengths
- Strong phonics programme embedded consistently across school, with pupils becoming fluent readers quickly
- Effective systems to identify and support pupils with SEND early, helping them achieve well alongside peers
- High attendance rates with swift action to address any concerns
- Broad, ambitious curriculum carefully designed for mixed-age classes
- Positive relationships between staff and pupils with clear behaviour expectations
Areas for Improvement
- Assessment systems in some subjects are overly complex, making it unclear what pupils need to know and remember over time
- PSHE programme not delivered consistently as intended, leaving gaps in pupils' knowledge including fundamental British values
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with clear systems in place and a positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Clubs to support pupils' talents, debates on current affairs, visits to cities including Liverpool and Manchester, visitors from different cultures
Waberthwaite CofE School has maintained its good standards since the previous inspection. Pupils are friendly and polite, achieving well with enthusiasm for learning in a calm, welcoming environment.
At a Glance
3.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
29 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 86% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 50% to 57% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 67% to 57% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
18.7
Avg class size
28.0
KS2
3
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 2 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Waberthwaite CofE School
Before and after school care
Waberthwaite CofE School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Source: Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme, Department for Education Free breakfast clubs in Cumberland
Term dates
Waberthwaite CofE School is a voluntary aided school, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Cumberland's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Waberthwaite CofE School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Waberthwaite CofE 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 Waberthwaite CofE School
Will you get a place at Waberthwaite CofE School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Waberthwaite CofE School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Waberthwaite CofE School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Waberthwaite CofE School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Cumberland, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Waberthwaite CofE 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
69%
Available places
53 pupils
77 places
24 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Millom
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Millom
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(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
11
SEN Support
3
EHC Plans
25.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
56
Total Pupils
27
Boys
29
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
4
Teachers
14.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£46,176
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£8,185
Per pupil
£471k
Total funding
£5k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
2.5%
Overall absence
0.0%
Persistent absence
47
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Waberthwaite CofE School
What are SATs results like at Waberthwaite CofE School?
Of the pupils at Waberthwaite CofE School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 86% reached the expected standard in reading and 57% did so in maths.
What is Waberthwaite CofE School's Ofsted rating?
Waberthwaite CofE School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in July 2019, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Waberthwaite CofE School?
No fixed boundary. When Waberthwaite CofE 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 Waberthwaite CofE School?
Waberthwaite CofE School was not full in 2025: it ran at 69% of its 77 places.
How big are the classes at Waberthwaite CofE School?
Classes at Waberthwaite CofE School average 18.7 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Waberthwaite CofE School?
Waberthwaite CofE School has around 56 pupils on roll. 4% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Waberthwaite CofE School?
2.5% of sessions were missed at Waberthwaite CofE School in 2024/25. 0% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Waberthwaite CofE School?
Apply through Cumberland's coordinated admissions process, naming Waberthwaite CofE 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.
Does Waberthwaite CofE School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Waberthwaite CofE School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school.
How many road collisions happen near Waberthwaite CofE 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 Waberthwaite CofE School?
Waberthwaite CofE School is at Waberthwaite, Millom, Cumbria, LA19 5YJ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)