Ofsted: No Judgement trending_up Popular emoji_events #6 in Westmorland and Furness public Top 21% UK

Kirkbie Kendal School

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

person Mr Mark Harris (Headteacher)

corporate_fareKIRKBIE KENDAL SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST

location_onKendal, LA9 7EQ

language Visit Website phone 01539727422

verified

Ofsted

No Judgement

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

1,082

trending_up

Attainment 8

47.5

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GCSE Rank

#7 in Westmorland and Furness

#1,577 of 4,024 nationally

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Kirkbie Kendal School is a Academy converter secondary school in Kendal, serving ages 11-18. Demand is above capacity (1.1×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Kirkbie Kendal School is an academy converter in Kendal, Westmorland and Furness, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of KIRKBIE KENDAL SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,029 pupils on roll, of whom 14% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 47.5, placing the school #7 in Westmorland and Furness and #1,577 of 4,024 nationally. 46.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 17.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 19 A-level subjects. 41.4% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 20.4% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 22.2% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #619 nationally), out of 43% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: 0.03 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is No Judgement.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.1× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.4 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

47.5

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

46.80%

Grade 4+ E&M

72.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)17.5%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)67.40%

Triple Science Entry30.50%

EBacc Slot Score14.1 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

50.1

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

57.40%

Grade 4+ E&M

75.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)23.9%

Entering EBacc28.40%

EBacc APS4.37

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.12

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.3

Grade 5+ E&M

48.80%

Entering EBacc44.00%

EBacc APS4.45

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.01

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc38%

EBacc APS4.51

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.32

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

55.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS4.94

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.22

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc33%

EBacc APS4.4

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28%

EBacc APS4.03

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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

95.2%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88.7%

Apprenticeships5.4%

Employment1.2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2.4%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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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

+0.03

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*6.1%

Achieving A*–A20.4%

Achieving A*–B41.4%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate89.6%

A-level subjects offered19

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.07

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate95.10%

Post-18 Destinations 91% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 43%

handshake Apprenticeships 8%

work Employment 35%

Not sustained / NEET9%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate100.00%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)98.6% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 50%

stars Top-Third Universities 22.2%

handshake Apprenticeships 6.9%

work Employment 33.3%

Not sustained / NEET1.4%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate95.1%

Post-18 Destinations 91.8% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 63.3%

handshake Apprenticeships 2%

work Employment 22.4%

Not sustained / NEET4.1%

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	#1,145 / 4,024	#6	#1,577	#1	—	#619	#2,011
2025	#928 / 3,948	#5	#1,108	#1	#1,029	#619	#2,011
2024	#850 / 4,450	#4	#1,220	#1,302	#855	#619	#2,011
2023	#912 / 4,321	#7	#1,059	#1,460	—	—	#1,582
2022	#548 / 4,199	#4	#754	#781	—	—	#895
2019	#841 / 2,711	#6	#888	#878	—	—	—
2018	#1,180 / 2,537	#8	#1,255	#1,120	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

08 May 2024

Inspection Report

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18 December 2018

Inspection Report

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23 September 2014

Inspection Report

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15 January 2013

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2018-12-18

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

2014-09-23

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Latest Ungraded: School remains Good

2009-11-10

None EIF

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

3.3%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.1%(22 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,041 pupils. During this period, there were 34 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.3%, 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)	1,041	34	3.3%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,036	37	3.6%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,049	27	2.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,055	25	2.4%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,060	29	2.7%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,082	28	2.6%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,082	29	2.7%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,084	46	4.2%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,050	47	4.5%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,045	35	3.3%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,044	31	3.0%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,019	28	2.7%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,013	4	0.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,017	36	3.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	999	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	999	14	1.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,007	27	2.7%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	934	15	1.6%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	943	21	2.2%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	949	22	2.3%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	918	20	2.2%	3.4%	3
2017/18 (Spring term)	925	9	1.0%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	930	36	3.9%	3.7%	2
2016/17 (Summer term)	864	11	1.3%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	863	27	3.1%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	864	10	1.2%	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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psychology_alt

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.

Moderate Learning Difficulty 103 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 45 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 29 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 16 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 11 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Visual 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.

87%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

89%Positive

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

20%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree30%

agree58%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree31%

agree47%

disagree14%

strongly disagree3%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree36%

agree26%

disagree8%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

not applicable20%

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

yes17%

no83%

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

strongly agree32%

agree23%

disagree35%

strongly disagree6%

Don't know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree51%

agree37%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree45%

agree43%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree38%

agree51%

disagree10%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree46%

agree47%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree57%

agree39%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree39%

agree39%

disagree12%

strongly disagree4%

don't know7%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes87%

no13%

Top Secondary Schools in Westmorland and Furness

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith

Good

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emoji_events #1 in LA

Queen Elizabeth School

Good

location_on None, LA6 2HJ

emoji_events #2 in LA

Cartmel Priory CofE School

Needs attention

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emoji_events #3 in LA

Ulverston Victoria High School

Good

location_on Ulverston, LA12 0EB

emoji_events #4 in LA

The Queen Katherine School

Expected standard

location_on Kendal, LA9 6PJ

emoji_events #5 in LA

Kirkby Stephen Grammar School

Good

location_on Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4HA

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Westmorland and Furness arrow_forward

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

Kirkby Stephen Grammar School