Best Secondary Schools in Cumbria

Beacon Hill Community School is a secondary school located in Aspatria, North West. With a student teacher ratio of 13 : 1, the school provides a supportive and inclusive environment for students aged 11-16. The school's overall grade is B-, with good ratings in academics, behavior, personal development, and leadership. With a focus on moral bravery and integrity, the school aims to help every student reach their potential and prepare them for future success.

The Queen Katherine School is a secondary school located in Kendal, North West. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 and a strong focus on personal development, the school provides a good quality education. It offers a diverse range of subjects, including English, maths, and the EBacc. The school has a good overall grade from Ofsted, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for students. With a dedicated teaching staff and good leadership and management, The Queen Katherine School is committed to providing a positive educational experience for all.

Caldew School is a co-educational secondary school located in Dalston, North West. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students aged 11-18. Led by Ms Victoria Jackson, the school has a good overall grade from Ofsted, ensuring high-quality education and personal development. With a focus on improving care and support, students at Caldew School display confidence in their ability to learn and interact positively with adults and peers. Exam results show steady progress, with 42% achieving grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs and an average A-level point score of 32.32. Caldew School is committed to providing a nurturing educational experience for its students.

Appleby Grammar School is a co-educational secondary school located in Appleby-in-Westmorland. With a focus on academic excellence and personal development, the school provides a supportive environment for students aged 11-18. With a student teacher ratio of 17:1, dedicated staff ensure individual attention. The school has a Good overall rating from Ofsted and offers a strong sixth-form provision. Exam results demonstrate the school's commitment to success, with 32% achieving Grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs and 33.30% achieving AAB or higher at A-level.

Richard Rose Morton Academy, located in Carlisle, North West, is a secondary school founded in 2008. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school provides a co-ed learning environment for students aged 11-18. The academy offers a comprehensive education with a focus on personal development and good behavior. While it requires improvement in certain areas, the school prioritizes the well-being and academic success of its students.

Ullswater Community College is a caring and supportive secondary school located in Penrith, North West. With a student-teacher ratio of 24:1 and a strong sixth-form provision, the school prioritizes the well-being and academic development of its diverse student body. Although the school requires improvement in some areas, it offers excellent pastoral care and support for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs. Parents and carers are highly supportive of the school, making it an inclusive and nurturing learning environment.

Trinity School is a co-ed secondary school located in Carlisle. With a student teacher ratio of 18:1, the school provides a focused and supportive learning environment. Offering a comprehensive education for students aged 11-18, Trinity School places a strong emphasis on personal development and offers a good sixth-form provision. The school has a diverse student body, with 872 girls and 823 boys, and provides support for students with special educational needs, including hearing impairment. While the school's overall effectiveness and leadership require improvement according to the latest Ofsted report, Trinity School is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for students to thrive academically and personally.

Chetwynde School is a successful and supportive school for boys and girls aged 4 to 16. With small class sizes, exceptional teachers, and superb facilities, we provide a balanced education that combines traditional values with modern teaching methods. Our inclusive teaching style cultivates respect for diversity, while our focus on academic achievement ensures students reach their full potential. With good exam results and a supportive environment, Chetwynde School is an ideal choice for parents seeking a well-rounded education for their children.

Richard Rose Central Academy is a co-educational secondary school located in Carlisle, North West. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students aged 11-18. While the school has seen some areas requiring improvement, it offers a wide range of resources and strives to promote personal development. The school's dedication to education is reflected in its previous 'Good' inspection grade and commitment to providing sixth-form provision. With a focus on academic achievement, Richard Rose Central Academy aims to prepare students for future success.

Walney School is a co-ed secondary school located in Walney, Barrow-in-Furness. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, our dedicated staff provides personalized attention to each student. We prioritize personal development and offer support for students with SEN needs. Although our overall effectiveness requires improvement, we have a good track record in fostering personal growth. Our exam results show that 29% of students achieved a Grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs in 2019. Join us at Walney School for a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.

Kirkby Stephen Grammar School is a co-educational secondary school located in Kirkby Stephen, North West. With a student teacher ratio of 15:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment for students aged 11-18. The school has a good track record in developing students' behavior and attitudes, as well as their personal development. However, it requires improvement in areas such as leadership and management. The school provides a good sixth-form provision, with 21.10% of students achieving AAB or higher in A-levels. With a focus on academic achievement and student support, Kirkby Stephen Grammar School is dedicated to nurturing its students' success.

Mayfield School is an outstanding all-through school located in Whitehaven, North West. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, the school offers a nurturing environment that fosters care and support. The leadership team is clear and confident, constantly seeking improvement. The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum, preparing students exceptionally well for their future. With excellent safeguarding measures in place, students feel safe and well-cared for. Mayfield School maintains the highest quality of education, ensuring students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

West Cumbria Learning Centre is a reputable middle deemed secondary school located in Toll Bar, Distington. Led by Mr Daniel Gee, the school provides an outstanding leadership and management. With a strong focus on quality teaching and learning, students at West Cumbria Learning Centre achieve good outcomes and make excellent progress. The school offers a co-ed environment for students aged 7-16 years, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Sandside Lodge School is an all-through school located in Ulverston, North West. With a low student teacher ratio of 8:1, the school provides a nurturing environment where students can thrive. The school's outstanding behavior and safety record, along with its commitment to individualized learning and high standards of education, make it an excellent choice for parents seeking a fruitful and satisfying educational experience for their children.

Newbridge House PRU is a highly effective and caring middle deemed secondary school in Barrow-in-Furness. With a good overall rating from Ofsted, the school provides excellent education, safeguarding, and support for students with special educational needs. The dedicated staff foster positive relationships, resulting in successful reintegration into mainstream schools for many students.

Sandgate School is an all-through school located in Kendal, North West. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, our dedicated staff provides personalized attention to each student. Our overall grade of B- reflects our commitment to maintaining a good quality of education. We prepare students effectively for life after leaving and have a strong understanding of safeguarding. However, we are working towards improving learning objectives and consistently challenging most-able pupils.

Underley Garden School is an outstanding all-through co-ed boarding school in Kirkby Lonsdale. With a strong focus on individual needs and support, the school provides a safe and nurturing environment for students aged 5-19 with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulty, and other disabilities. Led by Miss April Boyd, the dedicated staff work tirelessly to help each pupil achieve their best, resulting in excellent exam results and positive feedback from parents. With an outstanding Ofsted rating and a broad tailored curriculum, Underley Garden School is the ideal choice for parents seeking a supportive and high-quality education for their children.

George Hastwell School Special Academy is an all-through school located in Barrow-in-Furness. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, the school provides individualized attention and support to students aged 3-19 with a range of special educational needs. The school offers a nurturing environment where students with visual impairment, hearing impairment, autism spectrum disorder, and other difficulties can thrive. Despite the school's overall grade being C, it is continuously working towards improvement in academics, behavior, personal development, and leadership. The school also provides a nursery and sixth form for students. Parents can expect a dedicated team of teachers and assistants who prioritize the well-being and progress of each student. Although the school faces challenges in terms of resources and safety, it strives to provide a quality education and inclusive environment for its students.

Wings School is a co-educational boarding school located in Whassett, Milnthorpe. Founded in 2003, it provides education for students aged 10-17 with a focus on supporting those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With a small class size of 50 students, Wings School offers a nurturing environment for personal development and outstanding behaviour and attitudes. The school has been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, ensuring the quality of education provided. With a high percentage of students receiving SEN support, Wings School is dedicated to meeting the individual needs of every child.

Oversands School is a co-ed boarding school located in Witherslack, North West. With a history dating back to 1973, the school offers a middle deemed secondary education for students aged 8-19. Led by Mr Edward Sherratt, the school has a good Ofsted rating and excels in providing support for students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. With a small student body of 71, Oversands School focuses on close ties between home and learning to ensure each young person achieves their best. Exam results show a strong commitment to student progress and development.