Richard Rose Central Academy: A Carlisle School on the Rise

At the heart of Carlisle, where the Roman heritage of Hadrian's Wall meets modern educational ambition, Richard Rose Central Academy has emerged from a period of transformation. The March 2025 Ofsted inspection delivered Good ratings across all areas, marking a significant turnaround from the Requires Improvement judgement of 2022. This state secondary with sixth form serves around 1,044 students aged 11 to 18, drawing from across the city and offering a distinctive blend of academic pathways and enrichment opportunities, including a unique partnership with Manchester United Foundation.

The school occupies a purpose-built campus completed in 2010 at a cost of £31 million, designed with a central atrium that the school calls the heartspace. This bright, modern setting replaced older buildings when St Aidan's County High School and North Cumbria Technology College merged in 2008 to form the academy. The architecture reflects the school's ambition: flexible learning spaces arranged around a welcoming entrance piazza, a far cry from the Victorian corridors of its predecessor institutions.

Principal Dan Markham, who took the helm in July 2021, operates with an open-door policy that sets the tone for the school's approach to family engagement. His arrival followed a challenging period, and his leadership has been central to the school's improvement journey. The academy's values, delivered through its Education with Character programme, are built on six principles: Respect, Ambition, Determination, Confidence, Creativity, and Enthusiasm.

Students are organised into three houses named after the area's Roman heritage: Luguvalium, Valentia, and Hadrian. This house system underpins pastoral care and creates a framework for healthy competition. The atmosphere is purposeful but not pressured, with the school explicit about its commitment to disruption-free learning.

The Manchester United Foundation partnership distinguishes this school from others in the region. A full-time School Partnership Officer works on site, delivering sports initiatives, leadership programmes, and mentoring over a three-year period. This represents the Foundation's first partnership outside Greater Manchester, offering students opportunities including match day tickets and participation in wider Foundation events.

GCSE Results

At GCSE, students achieve an Attainment 8 score of 41.7, which places the school within the middle 35% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking: 2,422nd out of 4,593 secondary schools nationally). Locally, the academy ranks 3rd among secondary schools in Carlisle. The Progress 8 score of -0.33 indicates that students make slightly below average progress from their starting points, an area the school continues to address through curriculum development.

The EBacc average point score stands at 3.76, with 15.8% of pupils achieving grades 5 or above in the EBacc subjects. These figures sit below the England averages, reflecting both the school's intake profile and ongoing work to strengthen core academic outcomes.

A-Level Results

In the sixth form, 38.2% of A-level entries achieved grades A*-B, with 10.3% at A*-A. The academy ranks 1,823rd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the bottom 40% nationally but 4th among providers in Carlisle. The sixth form has seen significant growth, with student numbers increasing by 47% between 2019 and 2021, allowing the school to expand its subject offerings.

The range of A-level subjects includes Physical Education, Art and Craft Design, Biology, Chemistry, Criminology, Drama and Theatre, English Language, English Literature, Further Mathematics, Geography, German, Graphic Design, History, Law, Mathematics, Photography, Physics, Politics, Psychology, and Textiles. BTEC Level 3 courses complement the academic programme with options in Applied Science, Business, Engineering, Health and Social Care, ICT, Media Production, Sport, and Travel and Tourism.

Sixth form students receive 10 hours of teaching time per subject over a two-week period, with an expectation that independent study matches classroom hours. Most students take three subjects, though some pursue four in Year 12. The Extended Project Qualification is available for those seeking additional academic challenge, and students receive three hours of supervised study support weekly.

The curriculum has been the focus of considerable development under Mr Markham's leadership. In various subjects, the knowledge pupils should acquire is clearly defined and effectively sequenced, supporting both younger learners and sixth formers in building on prior learning. Teachers in the sixth form demonstrate expert subject knowledge.

The school acknowledges that achievement across year groups and subjects remains uneven, and work continues to ensure consistent application of teaching standards. Staff training focuses on assessment practices, helping teachers gauge learning more effectively.

Leaver destination data from 2024 shows that 38% of sixth form students progressed to university, with 11% entering apprenticeships, 9% continuing to further education, and 23% moving directly into employment. The school provides careers information and guidance alongside well-planned work experience opportunities, preparing students for multiple pathways.

The sixth form tracks destinations carefully, and while detailed Russell Group or Oxbridge figures are not published, the academy emphasises preparation for competitive university applications through its UCAS support programme. The breadth of post-16 courses, spanning academic A-levels and vocational BTECs, reflects a commitment to preparing students for diverse futures rather than funnelling all towards a single pathway.

Applications for Year 7 are coordinated through Cumberland Council. The admissions data shows the school is oversubscribed, with 411 applications for 200 Year 7 places, giving a subscription proportion of 2.06. This demand indicates the school's growing reputation locally.

Key dates follow the standard pattern: application forms are distributed through primary schools in September, with the submission deadline in October. Notification of allocated places occurs on 3 March, with appeals due by 28 March. Priority follows the criteria detailed in the admissions policy, though the school does not operate a strict geographical catchment in the traditional sense.

In-year admissions are processed within 10 school days for families relocating to the area. Contact Stephanie Slater in the admissions team for enquiries.

For sixth form entry, applications are made directly to the academy. The current deadline for September entry is late March. Financial support is available for qualifying sixth form students.

The house system provides the primary structure for pastoral care, with students belonging to Luguvalium, Valentia, or Hadrian throughout their time at the school. Sixth form students act as reading buddies, supporting younger pupils with literacy, an arrangement that benefits both parties.

Behaviour has been an area of focus and improvement. The March 2025 inspection found that behaviour and attitudes are now Good, a marked improvement from the 2022 judgement. The school operates a straightforward behaviour system designed to maintain disruption-free learning environments. Students report that bullying, once a concern, is no longer prevalent, and leaders maintain clear expectations for conduct.

Parent View data from early 2025 shows that 85% of parents agree their child is happy at school, with 88% agreeing their child feels safe. These figures, drawn from 93 responses, suggest the pastoral improvements are being felt by families.

Sport and Manchester United Foundation

The Manchester United Foundation partnership provides the flagship extracurricular programme. The Foundation placed its first School Partnership Officer outside Greater Manchester at Richard Rose Central, reflecting the significance of this collaboration. Students aged 11 to 18 access sports initiatives, leadership development, and mentoring programmes. Female participants from across the Foundation's network have attended events hosted at the academy.

Sports teams represent the school in competitive fixtures, with football particularly prominent given the Foundation link. Dance and Music groups add creative options, while charity initiatives develop a sense of social responsibility.

Clubs and Enrichment

The school runs clubs including art, football, and STEM. Trips enhance cultural awareness, including theatre visits. International travel opportunities include a 2026 ski trip to Pila in Northern Italy.

The school recognises that some students do not engage with enrichment activities and continues to broaden provision to increase participation. The BBC Bitesize Careers Tour has visited, connecting curriculum learning to career pathways.

STEM

STEM club provides hands-on learning beyond the classroom. The vocational pathways in Engineering, Applied Science, and ICT at sixth form level build on this foundation, preparing students for technical careers or further study.

The school is located at Victoria Place in Carlisle city centre, on the edge of the Lake District. New Year 7 students benefit from a personalised transition experience including a transition summer school.

The Principal operates an open-door policy for families with concerns. For enquiries, contact Linda Farish, the Principal's PA.

Results below England average. GCSE and A-level outcomes sit below the England average, and Progress 8 is negative. Families prioritising the highest academic outcomes may wish to compare local alternatives.

Recent improvement, not proven over time. The Good Ofsted ratings from March 2025 represent genuine progress, but the school's transformation is recent. Families should visit to assess whether the changes are embedded.

Variable enrichment engagement. Not all students participate in extracurricular activities. Those seeking guaranteed breadth of experience should explore what specific activities interest them during visits.

Richard Rose Central Academy is a school demonstrably on the rise. The March 2025 Ofsted inspection confirms that improvements in leadership, behaviour, and teaching have taken hold, with Good ratings across all areas replacing the Requires Improvement judgement of 2022. The Manchester United Foundation partnership and modern facilities create opportunities unusual for a state school in this region.

Best suited to families in Carlisle seeking a comprehensive secondary with genuine sixth form options and distinctive enrichment opportunities. Those who thrive here will appreciate the school's community focus, Roman heritage house system, and improving academic trajectory. The challenge now is sustaining and building on this progress.