Cartmel Priory CofE School Review 2026: A Village Secondary with a Family Feel

Nestled in the historic village of Cartmel, just moments from the 12th-century Priory and the racecourse, Cartmel Priory CofE School offers a secondary education defined by its scale. With fewer than 400 students aged 11 to 16, this is one of the smallest secondary schools in Cumbria. The result is an environment where anonymity is impossible; staff know every student, and the transition from primary school feels like a gentle step rather than a giant leap.

Rated Good by Ofsted, the school serves the Cartmel Peninsula and draws families from Grange-over-Sands and surrounding rural areas. It balances a Church of England ethos with a modern, inclusive approach, acting as a community hub as much as an educational institution.

The setting is undeniably picturesque. The school sits within walking distance of the medieval Cartmel Priory, which serves as a spiritual anchor for the school community. Services are held there regularly, linking students to centuries of local history.

Mrs Sarah Beestone, who was appointed Headteacher in 2019, leads with a focus on "Faith and Courage". The "family" aspect is not merely a slogan but a practical reality of the school's size. Year groups are small, typically around 70 to 80 students, fostering close-knit cohorts where peer support is strong.

The campus itself is functional and well-maintained, blending older structures with newer facilities. While it lacks the sprawling acreage of larger rural comprehensives, the efficient use of space creates a purposeful atmosphere. Corridors are calm, and the behaviour policy, rooted in Christian values of respect and forgiveness, contributes to an orderly environment. Students describe the school as safe and friendly, where bullying is rare and dealt with quickly because there are no corners to hide in.

Despite its small cohort size, the school delivers solid academic outcomes that align with national expectations. In 2024, the school recorded an Attainment 8 score of 46.4, which sits close to the England average of 46.2.

Ranked 2,203rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the "national typical" band. This reflects solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Locally, it ranks 1st in Grange-over-Sands for secondary outcomes, performing well against other local providers on the peninsula.

The Progress 8 score of -0.08 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with expectations given their starting points. While not an academic hothouse, the school successfully supports students to achieve necessary qualifications for their next steps. The percentage of pupils achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths provides a strong foundation for post-16 study.

The curriculum is broad but realistic about the constraints of a small school. The core subjects of English, Mathematics, and Science are taught in sets, while many foundation subjects are taught in mixed-ability groups. Teachers often teach across the age range, allowing them to build long-term academic relationships with students from Year 7 through to Year 11.

Science facilities are well-equipped, allowing for practical work that supports the GCSE curriculum. The school has maintained a commitment to the arts and technology, ensuring that despite the focus on the EBacc, students still have access to creative outlets.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is a particular strength. The small environment allows the SENCO and teaching assistants to tailor support effectively. Communication with parents is frequent, and the school prides itself on being responsive to individual learning needs.

As an 11-16 school, there is no Sixth Form on site. This means preparation for post-16 transition is a key part of the Year 11 experience. The school has strong links with local providers.

The majority of students progress to Barrow Sixth Form College, Ulverston Victoria High School (UVHS) Sixth Form, or Kendal College. The school organises taster days, careers fairs, and transport information sessions to ensure students make informed choices. The "Future" aspect of the school's motto drives a comprehensive careers programme that begins in Year 7, helping students understand the pathways available in the wider Cumbrian economy and beyond.

Admissions are coordinated by Westmorland and Furness Council. The school is a popular choice for families in the catchment area and is often oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were 108 applications for approximately 75 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.4 applicants per place.

The Published Admission Number (PAN) is typically 80. Priority is given to looked-after children, followed by those living in the catchment area, and then siblings of current students.

For families living outside the immediate catchment—such as those in Grange-over-Sands or Newton-in-Cartmel—distance from the school gate is the deciding factor. In 2024, the last distance offered was determined by the specific distribution of applicants that year. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered.

Pastoral care is the engine room of Cartmel Priory. The House system—Cavendish, Harington, Marshal, and Preston—fosters vertical integration, where older students mentor younger ones during form time and House competitions.

The pastoral team knows families well, often over multiple generations. This familiarity allows for early intervention if a student is struggling. Mental health support is available, and the school works closely with external agencies when deeper support is required. The Christian ethos underpins the approach to wellbeing, emphasising the intrinsic value of every individual.

For a small school, the extracurricular offer is surprisingly varied. Sport is a major pillar of school life. The PE department punches above its weight, with teams competing regionally in netball, football, and cross-country. The surrounding landscape is utilised for cross-country running and outdoor education.

STEM: Rural Innovation

The school runs an active STEM club that engages with local engineering firms. Students have participated in regional competitions, building links with major employers in the Barrow and Furness area.

Music and Drama are also central to the school's character. The annual school production is a community event, involving a significant percentage of the student body in acting, set design, and technical support. The choir performs regularly at the Priory and local events. Other clubs include Dungeons & Dragons, Lego/Robotics, and the Eco Club.

Students also participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, with the surrounding Lake District National Park providing the perfect backdrop for expeditions.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Given the rural catchment, a large proportion of students travel by bus. Council-provided transport is available for eligible families living more than three miles from the school.

The school canteen operates a cashless system and serves locally sourced food where possible, acknowledging the strong agricultural heritage of the area.

No Sixth Form. Students must move institutions at age 16. While this offers a fresh start and wider opportunities, families should be aware that their child will need to travel to Barrow, Ulverston, or Kendal for A-levels or vocational courses.

Small Curriculum Breadth. The small size of the school means that option blocks at GCSE can sometimes be restrictive compared to larger comprehensives. Less common subjects may not run every year if student numbers are insufficient.

Rural Isolation. For families moving from urban areas, the rural setting is idyllic but can be isolating for teenagers without independent transport. Access to evening and weekend activities often relies on parental taxi services.

Cartmel Priory CofE School offers a nurturing, safe, and academically sound education in a stunning setting. It is the antithesis of the large, anonymous comprehensive. Consistently solid results and a genuine community atmosphere make it a strong choice. Best suited to families who value a smaller, supportive environment where every child is known, and who are happy to accept the trade-off of slightly narrower curriculum choices for the benefit of personal attention.