Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #12 in Westmorland and Furness public Top 36% UK

Ullswater Community College

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

person Mr Stephen Gilby (Headteacher)

location_onPenrith, CA11 8NG

language Visit Website phone 01768210206

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Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,520

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Attainment 8

39.5

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GCSE Rank

#17 in Westmorland and Furness

#2,985 of 4,024 nationally

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Ullswater Community College is a Foundation school secondary school in Penrith, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Ullswater Community College is a foundation school in Penrith, Westmorland and Furness, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,520 pupils on roll, of whom 19% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 39.5, placing the school #17 in Westmorland and Furness and #2,985 of 4,024 nationally. 34.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 8.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 15 A-level subjects. 40.7% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 16.6% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 13.3% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #1,095 nationally), out of 32.1% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: +0.11 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.4:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 3 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

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Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

39.5

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

34.80%

Grade 4+ E&M

57.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)8.4%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)51.60%

Triple Science Entry12.10%

EBacc Slot Score11.5 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

43.50%

Grade 4+ E&M

61.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)13.1%

Entering EBacc18.70%

EBacc APS3.58

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.01

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.7

Grade 5+ E&M

33.50%

Entering EBacc50.70%

EBacc APS3.65

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.11

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31%

EBacc APS3.53

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.03

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45%

EBacc APS3.94

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.45

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc8%

EBacc APS3.14

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS3.55

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

96.1%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)76.8%

Apprenticeships11.3%

Employment8.1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3.2%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)74%

Apprenticeships9%

Employment9%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)75%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment9%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships8%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)71%

Apprenticeships13%

Employment10%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.11

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*4.1%

Achieving A*–A16.6%

Achieving A*–B40.7%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate87.5%

A-level subjects offered15

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.08

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate91.30%

Post-18 Destinations 88.5% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 32.1%

handshake Apprenticeships 12.8%

work Employment 39.7%

Not sustained / NEET7.7%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate80.60%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)91.1% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 42.2%

stars Top-Third Universities 13.3%

handshake Apprenticeships 5.6%

work Employment 40%

Not sustained / NEET2.2%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate92.7%

Post-18 Destinations 96.2% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 47.2%

handshake Apprenticeships 3.8%

work Employment 41.5%

Not sustained / NEET1.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results & 16-19 Destination Measures

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank	A-Level VA	Top-Third Uni	Overall Uni (HE)
2026	#2,277 / 4,024	#12	#2,985	#1	—	#1,095	#2,333
2025	#2,447 / 3,948	#15	#2,694	#1	#725	#1,095	#2,333
2024	#2,061 / 4,450	#14	#2,680	#1,530	#822	#1,095	#2,333
2023	#1,904 / 4,321	#12	#2,733	#1,776	—	—	#1,962
2022	#1,775 / 4,199	#11	#2,370	#1,560	—	—	#1,838
2019	#2,438 / 2,711	#19	#2,380	#2,358	—	—	—
2018	#1,919 / 2,537	#16	#1,983	#1,744	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

18 April 2023

Inspection Report

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21 May 2019

Inspection Report

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27 November 2018

Inspection Report

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13 September 2016

Inspection Report

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13 February 2014

Inspection Report

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09 October 2012

Inspection Report

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30 June 2010

Inspection Report

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01 December 2009

Inspection Report

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01 April 2009

Inspection Report

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04 February 2008

Inspection Report

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11 January 2006

Inspection Report

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09 October 2000

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

5 Evaluations

2023-04-18

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2019-05-21

S5 Inspection Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2018-11-27

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

2016-09-13

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

2014-02-13

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

4.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.3%(36 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,535 pupils. During this period, there were 63 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.1%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,535	63	4.1%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,543	48	3.1%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,521	63	4.1%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,540	49	3.2%	7.1%	2
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,557	53	3.4%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,520	67	4.4%	6.6%	5
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,520	37	2.4%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,524	70	4.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,505	36	2.4%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,507	46	3.1%	4.9%	2
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,505	50	3.3%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,479	25	1.7%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,487	1	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,487	20	1.3%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,449	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,449	10	0.7%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,458	13	0.9%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,396	21	1.5%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,398	24	1.7%	3.8%	2
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,400	15	1.1%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,364	15	1.1%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,367	9	0.7%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,379	21	1.5%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,355	23	1.7%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,369	16	1.2%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,368	23	1.7%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Specific Learning Difficulty 123 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 99 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 37 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 34 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 30 pupils

Physical Disability 10 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

82%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

88%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

22%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree28%

agree54%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree18%

agree43%

disagree27%

strongly disagree9%

don't know4%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree32%

agree30%

disagree14%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

not applicable15%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes22%

no78%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree26%

agree32%

disagree27%

strongly disagree12%

Don't know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree35%

agree47%

disagree12%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree37%

agree43%

disagree13%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree34%

agree50%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree38%

agree46%

disagree12%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree49%

agree45%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree33%

agree40%

disagree14%

strongly disagree6%

don't know7%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes81%

no19%

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Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Westmorland and Furness

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith

Queen Elizabeth School

Cartmel Priory CofE School

Ulverston Victoria High School

The Queen Katherine School

Kirkbie Kendal School