Best 3 Secondary schools in Cumbria – comparison

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

Comparison of secondary schools: Keswick School (Secondary) in Keswick; West Lakes Academy (Secondary) in Egremont; Kirkby Stephen Grammar School (Secondary) in Kirkby Stephen — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares Keswick School, West Lakes Academy and Kirkby Stephen Grammar School. They are secondary phase and academy converter and academy sponsor led type located around Keswick, Cumbria, Egremont, Cumbria and Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 1 (Keswick School), published Jun 2024. The lowest is 2 (Kirkby Stephen Grammar School), published Mar 2024. The most recent inspection on record is for Keswick School (Jun 2024). average roll around ≈ 900, combined total ≈ 2,700, typical FSM 15–20%, range 5–10%–25–30%; spread across trusts such as KESWICK SCHOOL MULTI ACADEMY TRUST and CHANGING LIVES LEARNING TRUST.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	Keswick School CA12 5QB	West Lakes Academy CA22 2DQ	Kirkby Stephen Grammar School CA17 4HA
Phase / Type	Secondary • Academy converter	Secondary • Academy sponsor led	Secondary • Academy converter
Location	Keswick Cumbria CA12 5QB	Egremont Cumbria CA22 2DQ	Kirkby Stephen Cumbria CA17 4HA
Latest Ofsted	1 9 Jun 2024	1 10 Apr 2017	2 14 Mar 2024
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 1,200 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,100 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 400 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	5–10% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	25–30% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	15–20% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	1229	1150	545
Capacity utilisation	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %	Under capacity 🔒 View exact %
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Mixed	Mixed	Mixed
Admissions policy	Non-selective	Non-selective	Non-selective
Trust / Local authority	KESWICK SCHOOL MULTI ACADEMY TRUST	CHANGING LIVES LEARNING TRUST	Westmorland and Furness (943)
Website	www.keswick.cumbria.sch.uk	wla.education	www.ksgs.cumbria.sch.uk
Telephone	01768772605	01946820356	01768371693
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

Keswick School

CA12 5QB

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5QB
Ofsted: 1 9 Jun 2024
Pupils: ≈ 1,200 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 5–10% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: KESWICK SCHOOL MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Website: www.keswick.cumbria.sch.uk
Telephone: 01768772605

West Lakes Academy

CA22 2DQ

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy sponsor led
Location: Egremont
Cumbria
CA22 2DQ
Ofsted: 1 10 Apr 2017
Pupils: ≈ 1,100 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 25–30% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: CHANGING LIVES LEARNING TRUST
Website: wla.education
Telephone: 01946820356

Kirkby Stephen Grammar School

CA17 4HA

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Kirkby Stephen
Cumbria
CA17 4HA
Ofsted: 2 14 Mar 2024
Pupils: ≈ 400 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 15–20% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Westmorland and Furness (943)
Website: www.ksgs.cumbria.sch.uk
Telephone: 01768371693

Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?

We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.

What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.

Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.

How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.

What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.

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