Dean Gibson Catholic Primary School, Kendal Review 2026: High-performing Catholic primary with nursery and wraparound care

Results remain a clear strength in the current 2024-25 / 2025 dataset.

In the current 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, 80% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined. Reading, mathematics and grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) scaled scores are also strong at 109, 107 and 109 respectively. These are the kind of figures that typically correlate with confident phonics, fluency, and solid arithmetic foundations by the end of Year 6.

Rankings provide an extra lens for parents comparing nearby options. Ranked 3,137th of 14,978 schools in England for primary academic outcomes and 2nd in Kendal in the local primary ranking (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), the school still has a strong national placement, though not the previous top-local position. For families using league-table style shortlists, that combination remains worth noting.

A useful way to interpret these numbers is to think for classroom experience. Higher expected-standard rates usually mean more pupils can access whole-class teaching without constant remediation, and a large greater-depth share tends to indicate stretch work is embedded rather than bolted on. The implication for parents is positive, but also worth weighing: in a high-performing cohort, pace can feel brisk for pupils who need more time to consolidate.

Parents comparing performance locally can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page to line up the school’s results against other Kendal primaries using the Comparison Tool.

Primary schools with strong outcomes often share some common features: structured early reading, tight sequencing in mathematics, and a clear approach to knowledge-building in humanities. The June 2024 inspection report describes deep dives in early reading and mathematics, which usually signals those subjects are central to curriculum monitoring and staff training.

The curriculum also makes explicit use of its location. Geography content references being a Catholic school in the Lake District, and links that to outdoor exploration and stewardship themes. That matters because it turns “outdoor learning” from a vague promise into an organising idea for trips, local fieldwork, and the language pupils use about place and responsibility.

Nursery and Reception sit at the foundation of all of this. The school’s nursery information emphasises individuality and belonging, and the practical takeaway is that early years learning is likely to be a mix of communication, fine motor work, early number, and play-based language building, with a clear transition into Reception expectations. Parents considering a start at age 3 should still treat Nursery and Reception as separate admissions decisions, not a single guaranteed path.

For a primary school, “destinations” are about transition into Year 7, and how well the school prepares pupils socially and academically for that change.

The school names Kirkbie Kendal School and The Queen Katherine School as partner secondary schools, and it describes liaison work to smooth transition, including joint working with secondary colleagues.

What this means in practice is that Year 6 pupils are likely to have planned links, shared expectations, and a transition process that is not left to families to organise alone. It is also a reminder that, despite strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, the next-stage fit still depends on the receiving secondary’s curriculum, pastoral model, and transport pattern from Hawesmead.

For the primary entry route, demand can shift quickly in a small school and each year should be treated as its own competition. Families should apply on time, read the current oversubscription criteria carefully and check whether faith-related documentation is needed.

For Reception entry into September 2027, the coordinated application is handled through Westmorland and Furness Council. The published application deadline is 15 January 2027, with offers made on 16 April 2027.

Because this is a Catholic school with its own oversubscription priorities, parents also need to read the current admissions policy carefully. For the September 2027 coordinated Reception round, Westmorland and Furness lists 15 January 2027 as the application deadline and 16 April 2027 as offer day. Families applying under faith-related criteria should check the current policy for any supplementary form or evidence requirements.

A subtle but important point for nursery families: the policy states that attending the school’s nursery does not automatically guarantee a Reception place. Nursery can support familiarity and readiness, but it is not a guaranteed feeder route.

Parents who are unsure about how close they might need to live should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their measured distance from the school gates, then compare that with recent allocation patterns once available. Distance criteria are used as tie-breaks in many oversubscribed schools, but outcomes vary year to year based on who applies.

Pastoral care in a primary is usually experienced through small daily moments: how adults respond to anxiety, how quickly issues are picked up, and whether pupils trust staff. The safeguarding information published by the school places the designated safeguarding lead role with the headteacher, and describes a safeguarding structure that includes deputy safeguarding leadership and governor oversight.

Second and final explicit inspection attribution sentence: Ofsted reported that pupils know how to keep safe, including online, and that they value the support they receive from teachers.

For Catholic schools, pastoral culture is also shaped by how faith is practised. The Catholic Life pages show worship and Mass as shared events, with pupils participating through readings and singing, and service projects such as Mini Vinnies fundraising sitting alongside liturgy. This combination often works well for families who want values to be practised in concrete ways, not only referenced in assemblies.

Extracurricular in a small-to-mid sized primary can either be a generic list or a set of activities that feel woven into school identity. Here, the named examples are consistent with the school’s values and with practical family needs.

Mini Vinnies is an obvious anchor. It links faith to service, with pupils planning fundraising and charity-linked projects. For children who enjoy purpose-driven activities, this can be a formative experience because it gives them real responsibility and a public voice in assemblies.

School Council is another structured opportunity. The school describes pupil meetings that help shape activities, themed days, fundraising and community projects, and it links this to policy work, including a positive behaviour policy. For parents, the implication is that pupil voice is not purely symbolic, it is used to support decision-making.

After-school clubs vary term by term, but an example published for activities includes Lego Club. Even a simple club like this can be meaningful when it is run well because it encourages design thinking, collaboration, and perseverance, and it often suits pupils who do not gravitate towards competitive sport.

Fundraising and parent-led activity also appear central. The school notes that PTFA fundraising has contributed to outdoor gym equipment for the playground. This is not a promise of endless new kit, but it does show an active parent body that converts events into tangible resources.

The school day is clearly set out. Registration is at 8:50am, with sessions running through to a 3:20pm finish.

Wraparound care is a strong practical feature. Breakfast club runs from 7:45am to 8:50am, and after-school club runs until 6:00pm Monday to Thursday and 5:00pm on Fridays. Fees are published for these clubs, and booking is required.

Nursery hours are broader, with a structure that can extend childcare across the working day in term time. Specific nursery pricing can change and should be checked directly with the school before budgeting.

For travel, Kendal is well served by local bus routes and rail connections via the Kendal and Oxenholme area, but families should test the real journey at school-run times because traffic pinch points and parking patterns can change quickly around primaries.

• Oversubscription and small numbers. In a small school, a handful of extra applicants can shift outcomes quickly, so families should treat each year as its own competition and check the current oversubscription criteria before applying.

• Faith criteria and paperwork. Families applying under Catholic criteria should expect additional documentation and a Supplementary Information Form process alongside the council application, with a firm deadline.

• Nursery is not a guaranteed feeder. Little Deanies can be a helpful start, but the admissions policy is explicit that nursery attendance does not automatically secure a Reception place.

• Leadership transition context. The inspection record indicates leadership changes around 2024. Many schools navigate this well, but parents may want to ask how curriculum and behaviour expectations are kept consistent during staffing changes.

Strong Key Stage 2 performance, a clear Catholic identity, and genuinely useful wraparound care make this an appealing option for families who want academic stretch alongside values-led service. Best suited to families comfortable with a Catholic setting, including liturgy and charity activity, and who can engage early with a competitive admissions process. The main hurdle is admission rather than day-to-day experience.