Ofsted: Needs attention trending_up Places Available emoji_events #10 in Westmorland and Furness public Top 29% UK

Dallam School

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

person Mr Steven Henneberry (Headteacher)

corporate_fareSOUTH WESTMORLAND MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

location_onCumbria, LA7 7DD

language Visit Website phone 01539565165

verified

Ofsted

Needs attention

Inspected 2026

groups

Students

1,048

trending_up

Attainment 8

44.1

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GCSE Rank

#10 in Westmorland and Furness

#2,205 of 4,024 nationally

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Dallam School is a Academy converter secondary school in Cumbria, serving ages 11-18. Assessed as Needs Attention in curriculum and teaching on its latest Ofsted Report Card.

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School Summary

Dallam School is an academy converter in Cumbria, Westmorland and Furness, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of SOUTH WESTMORLAND MULTI ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 761 pupils on roll, of whom 14% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.1, placing the school #10 in Westmorland and Furness and #2,205 of 4,024 nationally. 37.90% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 15.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 16 A-level subjects. 46.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 19.5% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 14.9% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #1,006 nationally), out of 44.4% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: +0.19 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2026. The school's current overall rating is Needs attention. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Needs attention, behaviour and attitudes Expected standard, personal development Expected standard, and leadership and management Expected standard.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 9.7 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

44.1

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

37.90%

Grade 4+ E&M

60.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)15.4%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)57.10%

Triple Science Entry31.70%

EBacc Slot Score13 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

44.1

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

34.60%

Grade 4+ E&M

62.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)12.0%

Entering EBacc26.30%

EBacc APS3.73

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.43

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.7

Grade 5+ E&M

38.30%

Entering EBacc24.60%

EBacc APS3.75

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc36%

EBacc APS3.95

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.23

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc35%

EBacc APS4.15

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.18

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS4.13

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.51

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc54%

EBacc APS4.24

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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

94.5%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86.9%

Apprenticeships6.6%

Employment1.1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2.2%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships8%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

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

+0.19

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.7%

Achieving A*–A19.5%

Achieving A*–B46.0%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate86.3%

A-level subjects offered16

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.31

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate95.20%

Post-18 Destinations 93.1% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 44.4%

handshake Apprenticeships 4.2%

work Employment 34.7%

Not sustained / NEET4.2%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate98.40%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)82.4% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 43.2%

stars Top-Third Universities 14.9%

handshake Apprenticeships 2.7%

work Employment 32.4%

Not sustained / NEET14.9%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate98.6%

Post-18 Destinations 87.6% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 44.9%

handshake Apprenticeships 4.5%

work Employment 37.1%

Not sustained / NEET7.9%

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	#1,768 / 4,024	#10	#2,205	#1	—	#1,006	#1,952
2025	#1,712 / 3,948	#11	#2,169	#1	#469	#1,006	#1,952
2024	#2,338 / 4,450	#15	#2,198	#2,543	#2,022	#1,006	#1,952
2023	#1,924 / 4,321	#13	#1,762	#2,173	—	—	#1,920
2022	#1,608 / 4,199	#10	#1,744	#2,064	—	—	#1,932
2019	#1,442 / 2,711	#10	#1,100	#1,847	—	—	—
2018	#1,704 / 2,537	#13	#1,241	#2,295	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

28 April 2026

Inspection Report

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12 November 2024

Inspection Report

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24 May 2023

Inspection Report

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13 December 2017

Inspection Report

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30 April 2013

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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02 November 2011

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

5 Evaluations

2026-04-28

S5 Inspection REIF Report Card

Report Card

info

Why no single overall grade?

From autumn 2024 / 2025, Ofsted replaced single-word headline grades (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate) with individual area judgements on a Report Card.

Curriculum & Teaching

Needs attention

Achievement

Needs attention

Attendance & Behaviour

Expected standard

Personal Development

Expected standard

Inclusion

Expected standard

Leadership & Governance

Expected standard

Post-16 Provision

Expected standard

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2023-05-24

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Requires improvement

Leadership

Requires improvement

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2017-12-13

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

2013-04-30

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2010-01-27

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

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

11.2%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

5.2%(46 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 878 pupils. During this period, there were 98 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 11.2%, which is above 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)	878	98	11.2%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	879	72	8.2%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	981	61	6.2%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	988	100	10.1%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	995	119	12.0%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,048	66	6.3%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,048	85	8.1%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,059	53	5.0%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,055	57	5.4%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,072	42	3.9%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,082	38	3.5%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,086	10	0.9%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,087	6	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,081	14	1.3%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,063	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,063	11	1.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,074	12	1.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,014	1	0.1%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,024	17	1.7%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,024	23	2.2%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	963	26	2.7%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	966	56	5.8%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	972	61	6.3%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	951	44	4.6%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	952	18	1.9%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	956	16	1.7%	3.1%	1

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 31 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 30 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 22 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 20 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 13 pupils

Physical Disability 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.

Overall, how do parents view this school?

64%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

68%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

74%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

strongly agree13%

agree24%

disagree30%

strongly disagree20%

not applicable70%

Neither agree nor disagree13%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree20%

agree39%

disagree17%

strongly disagree9%

Neither agree nor disagree15%

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

strongly agree30%

agree30%

Neither agree nor disagree15%

disagree13%

strongly disagree11%

Don't know1%

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

strongly agree25%

agree34%

Neither agree nor disagree12%

disagree19%

strongly disagree10%

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

strongly agree27%

agree34%

disagree13%

strongly disagree13%

Neither agree nor disagree13%

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

strongly agree28%

agree26%

disagree13%

strongly disagree15%

don't know1%

not applicable10%

Neither agree nor disagree7%

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

yes36%

no64%

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree22%

agree30%

disagree17%

strongly disagree17%

Neither agree nor disagree15%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes68%

no32%

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

location_on Penrith, CA11 7EG

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Queen Elizabeth School

Good

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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

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emoji_events #4 in LA

The Queen Katherine School

Expected standard

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Kirkbie Kendal School

Good

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emoji_events #6 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

Overall, how do parents view this school?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

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 SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

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.

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