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	Belle Vue Primary School Carlisle, primary	1.20	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
2	Kells Infant School Whitehaven, primary	1.17	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
3	Fir Ends Primary School Brampton, primary	1.13	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
4	Richard Rose Central Academy Carlisle, secondary	1.13	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
5	Kingmoor Nursery and Infant School Carlisle, primary	1.11	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
6	St John Henry Newman Catholic School Carlisle, secondary	1.11	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
7	Caldew School Carlisle, secondary	1.10	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
8	Boltons CofE School Wigton, primary	1.07	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
9	Eaglesfield Paddle CofE Primary Academy Cockermouth, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
10	Richard Rose Morton Academy Carlisle, secondary	1.06	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
11	The Whitehaven Academy Whitehaven, secondary	1.06	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
12	St Josephs Catholic High School, Workington Workington, secondary	1.05	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
13	Jericho Primary School Whitehaven, primary	1.03	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
14	Workington Academy Workington, secondary	1.01	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
15	Ashfield Infant & Nursery School Workington, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Outstanding (Concerns) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
16	Beacon Hill Community School Wigton, secondary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
17	Beckermet CofE School Beckermet, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
18	Beckstone Primary School Workington, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
19	Brampton Primary School Brampton, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
20	Bridekirk Dovenby CofE Primary School Cockermouth, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
21	Brook Street Primary School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
22	Broughton Primary School Cockermouth, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
23	Crosby-on-Eden CofE School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
24	Cummersdale School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
25	Cumwhinton School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
26	Dean CofE School Workington, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
27	Dearham Primary School Maryport, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
28	Fairfield Primary School Cockermouth, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
29	Flimby Primary School Maryport, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
30	Frizington Community Primary School Frizington, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
31	Gosforth CofE Primary School and Nursery Seascale, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
32	Haverigg Primary School Millom, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
33	Hayton CofE Primary School Brampton, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
34	Inglewood Infant School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
35	Kirkbride Primary School Wigton, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
36	Lanercost CofE Primary School Brampton, primary	1.00	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
37	Maryport CofE Primary School Maryport, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
38	Netherton Infant School Maryport, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
39	Newtown Primary School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
40	Orgill Primary School Egremont, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
41	Our Lady and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Maryport Maryport, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
42	Petteril Bank School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
43	Richmond Hill School Wigton, primary	1.00	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
44	Seascale Primary School Seascale, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
45	Seaton Academy Workington, primary	1.00	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
46	Silloth Primary School Wigton, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Outstanding (Concerns) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
47	Solway Community School Wigton, secondary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
48	St Bees Village Primary School St Bees, primary	1.00	2026	none held
49	St Bridget's Catholic Primary School Egremont, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
50	St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School Wigton, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
51	St Cuthberts Catholic Primary School, Carlisle Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
52	St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant School Whitehaven, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
53	St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Workington Workington, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
54	St Herbert's CofE (VA) Primary and Nursery School Keswick, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
55	St James' Catholic Primary School millom, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
56	St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School Whitehaven, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
57	St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
58	St Mary's Catholic Primary School Workington, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
59	St Michael's CofE Primary School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
60	St Michael's Nursery and Infant School Workington, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
61	St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Workington, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
62	Stoneraise School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
63	The Bishop Harvey Goodwin School (Church of England Voluntary Aided) Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
64	Thursby Primary School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
65	Upperby Primary School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
66	Victoria Infant and Nursery School Workington, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
67	Warwick Bridge Primary School Carlisle, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
68	Westfield Nursery and Primary School Workington, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
69	Keswick School Keswick, secondary	0.99	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
70	Netherhall School Maryport, secondary	0.99	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
71	Cockermouth School Cockermouth, secondary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
72	Pennine Way Primary School Carlisle, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
73	Robert Ferguson Primary School Carlisle, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
74	St Benedict's Catholic High School Whitehaven, secondary	0.98	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
75	Wigton Nursery and Infant School Wigton, primary	0.98	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
76	Norman Street Primary School Carlisle, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
77	St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Cleator Moor, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
78	Bookwell Primary School Egremont, primary	0.96	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
79	The Nelson Thomlinson School Wigton, secondary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
80	St Mary's Catholic Primary School Whitehaven, primary	0.95	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
81	Bransty Primary School Whitehaven, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
82	Hensingham Primary School Whitehaven, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
83	Millom School Millom, secondary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
84	Newlaithes Infant School Carlisle, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
85	Stanwix School Carlisle, primary	0.94	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
86	Caldew Lea School Carlisle, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
87	Moresby Primary School Whitehaven, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
88	Scotby CofE Primary School Carlisle, primary	0.93	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
89	West Lakes Academy Egremont, secondary	0.93	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
90	Yewdale School Carlisle, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
91	St Bede's Catholic Primary School Carlisle, primary	0.91	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
92	William Howard School Brampton, secondary	0.91	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
93	Valley Primary School and Nursery Whitehaven, primary	0.89	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
94	Longtown Primary School Carlisle, primary	0.88	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
95	Trinity School Carlisle, secondary	0.81	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
96	Houghton CofE School Carlisle, primary	0.77	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 96 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.