Most sought-after schools in Cumberland
Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.
This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.
This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.
| # | School | First preferences per place | Newest intake | Latest Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Yewdale School Carlisle, primary |
1.37 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 2 |
Houghton CofE School Carlisle, primary |
1.17 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 3 |
Caldew School Carlisle, secondary |
1.11 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 4 |
Stoneraise School Carlisle, primary |
1.10 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 5 |
Workington Academy Workington, secondary |
1.10 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 6 |
Cumwhinton School Carlisle, primary |
1.07 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 7 |
Seaton Academy Workington, primary |
1.07 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 8 |
Cockermouth School Cockermouth, secondary |
1.04 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 9 |
Kingmoor Nursery and Infant School Carlisle, primary |
1.04 | 2025 | School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 10 |
Richard Rose Morton Academy Carlisle, secondary |
1.04 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 11 |
William Howard School Brampton, secondary |
1.02 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 12 |
Beacon Hill Community School Wigton, secondary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 13 |
Beckermet CofE School Beckermet, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 14 |
Beckstone Primary School Workington, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 15 |
Belle Vue Primary School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 16 |
Boltons CofE School Wigton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 17 |
Bookwell Primary School Egremont, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 18 |
Brampton Primary School Brampton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 19 |
Bransty Primary School Whitehaven, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 20 |
Bridekirk Dovenby CofE Primary School Cockermouth, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 21 |
Brook Street Primary School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 22 |
Broughton Primary School Cockermouth, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 23 |
Derwent Vale Primary and Nursery School Workington, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 24 |
Eaglesfield Paddle CofE Primary Academy Cockermouth, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 25 |
Ellenborough Academy Maryport, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 26 |
Fairfield Primary School Cockermouth, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 27 |
Fir Ends Primary School Brampton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 28 |
Frizington Community Primary School Frizington, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 29 |
Grasslot Infant School Maryport, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 30 |
Great Corby School and Nursery Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 31 |
Haverigg Primary School Millom, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 32 |
Hayton CofE Primary School Brampton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 33 |
Inglewood Infant School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 34 |
Jericho Primary School Whitehaven, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 35 |
Kells Infant School Whitehaven, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 36 |
Lanercost CofE Primary School Brampton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 37 |
Longtown Primary School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 38 |
Lorton School Cockermouth, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 39 |
Millom Infant School Millom, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Urgent improvement (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 40 |
Montreal CofE Primary School Cleator Moor, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Some aspects not as strong (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 41 |
Moresby Primary School Whitehaven, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 42 |
Newtown Primary School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 43 |
Orgill Primary School Egremont, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 44 |
Our Lady and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Maryport Maryport, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 45 |
Petteril Bank School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 46 |
Raughton Head CofE School & Nursery Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 47 |
Richmond Hill School Wigton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 48 |
Robert Ferguson Primary School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 49 |
Rosley CofE School Wigton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 50 |
Seascale Primary School Seascale, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 51 |
Silloth Primary School Wigton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Concerns) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 52 |
Solway Community School Wigton, secondary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 53 |
St Bridget's Catholic Primary School Egremont, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 54 |
St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant School Whitehaven, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 55 |
St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Workington Workington, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 56 |
St Herbert's CofE (VA) Primary and Nursery School Keswick, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 57 |
St James' Catholic Primary School millom, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 58 |
St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School Whitehaven, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 59 |
St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 60 |
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Whitehaven, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 61 |
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Workington, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 62 |
St Matthew's CofE School Wigton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 63 |
St Michael's Nursery and Infant School Workington, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 64 |
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Workington, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 65 |
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Cleator Moor, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 66 |
Thornhill Primary School Egremont, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 67 |
Thursby Primary School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 68 |
Upperby Primary School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 69 |
Valley Primary School and Nursery Whitehaven, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 70 |
Victoria Infant and Nursery School Workington, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 71 |
Warwick Bridge Primary School Carlisle, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 72 |
West Lakes Academy Egremont, secondary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 73 |
Westfield Nursery and Primary School Workington, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 74 |
Wigton Nursery and Infant School Wigton, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 75 |
Keswick School Keswick, secondary |
0.98 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 76 |
Netherhall School Maryport, secondary |
0.98 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 77 |
Pennine Way Primary School Carlisle, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 78 |
St Benedict's Catholic High School Whitehaven, secondary |
0.98 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 79 |
St John Henry Newman Catholic School Carlisle, secondary |
0.98 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 80 |
The Whitehaven Academy Whitehaven, secondary |
0.98 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 81 |
Norman Street Primary School Carlisle, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 82 |
Ashfield Infant & Nursery School Workington, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Concerns) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 83 |
Caldew Lea School Carlisle, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 84 |
Dearham Primary School Maryport, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 85 |
Richard Rose Central Academy Carlisle, secondary |
0.96 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 86 |
St Bede's Catholic Primary School Carlisle, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 87 |
The Nelson Thomlinson School Wigton, secondary |
0.96 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 88 |
Maryport CofE Primary School Maryport, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 89 |
Newlaithes Infant School Carlisle, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 90 |
St Cuthberts Catholic Primary School, Carlisle Carlisle, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 91 |
Stanwix School Carlisle, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 92 |
Trinity School Carlisle, secondary |
0.94 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 93 |
Millom School Millom, secondary |
0.93 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 94 |
The Bishop Harvey Goodwin School (Church of England Voluntary Aided) Carlisle, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 95 |
Crosby-on-Eden CofE School Carlisle, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 96 |
St Michael's CofE Primary School Carlisle, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 97 |
Rockcliffe CofE School Carlisle, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 98 |
Scotby CofE Primary School Carlisle, primary |
0.89 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 99 |
St Josephs Catholic High School, Workington Workington, secondary |
0.88 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 100 |
Cummersdale School Carlisle, primary |
0.87 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 100 schools in Cumberland have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Cumberland · How we compare schools.