Schools in Carlisle: Ofsted Ratings (2026)
200 registered schools in Carlisle, North West. 67% are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Browse the best primary and secondary schools below, then check a specific postcode for catchment distance.
200
Schools total
177 primary · 23 secondary
67%
Good or Outstanding
134 of 200
22
Rated Outstanding
112
Rated Good
Best primary schools in Carlisle
177 primary schools, sorted by Ofsted rating (Outstanding first). Showing the top 25.
| School | Postcode | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Armathwaite School | CA4 9PW | Outstanding |
| Ashfield Infant & Nursery School | CA14 3JG | Outstanding |
| Bookwell Primary School | CA22 2LT | Outstanding |
| Bridekirk Dovenby CofE Primary School | CA13 0PG | Outstanding |
| Crosby-on-Eden CofE School | CA6 4QN | Outstanding |
| Eaglesfield Paddle CofE Primary Academy | CA13 0QY | Outstanding |
| Fairfield Primary School | CA13 0DX | Outstanding |
| Grasslot Infant School | CA15 8BT | Outstanding |
| Hayton CofE Primary School | CA8 9HR | Outstanding |
| High Hesket CofE School | CA4 0HU | Outstanding |
| Ivegill CofE School | CA4 0PA | Outstanding |
| Kells Infant School | CA28 9PQ | Outstanding |
| Lanercost CofE Primary School | CA8 2HL | Outstanding |
| Patterdale CofE Primary School | CA11 0NL | Outstanding |
| Skelton School | CA11 9SE | Outstanding |
| Stanwix School | CA3 9DW | Outstanding |
| Victoria Infant and Nursery School | CA14 3XB | Outstanding |
| Wreay Church of England Primary School | CA4 0RL | Outstanding |
| Allonby Primary School | CA15 6QG | Good |
| Alston Primary School | CA9 3QU | Good |
| Appleby Primary School | CA16 6TX | Good |
| Asby Endowed School | CA16 6EX | Good |
| Ashfield Junior School | CA14 4ES | Good |
| Bassenthwaite Primary School | CA12 4QH | Good |
| Beckstone Primary School | CA14 5PX | Good |
Best secondary schools in Carlisle
23 secondary schools, sorted by Ofsted rating. Showing the top 23.
| School | Postcode | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Coast UTC | CA14 4JW | Outstanding |
| Keswick School | CA12 5QB | Outstanding |
| Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith | CA11 7EG | Outstanding |
| The Nelson Thomlinson School | CA7 9PX | Outstanding |
| Cockermouth School | CA13 9HF | Good |
| Richard Rose Central Academy | CA1 1LY | Good |
| Richard Rose Morton Academy | CA2 6LB | Good |
| Solway Community School | CA7 4DD | Good |
| St Josephs Catholic High School, Workington | CA14 3EE | Good |
| West Lakes Academy | CA22 2DQ | Good |
| Appleby Grammar School | CA16 6XU | Requires improvement |
| Beacon Hill Community School | CA7 3EZ | Requires improvement |
| Caldew School | CA5 7NN | Requires improvement |
| Samuel King's School | CA9 3QU | Requires improvement |
| St Benedict's Catholic High School | CA28 8UG | Requires improvement |
| St John Henry Newman Catholic School | CA2 4NL | Requires improvement |
| Trinity School | CA1 1JB | Requires improvement |
| Ullswater Community College | CA11 8NG | Requires improvement |
| William Howard School | CA8 1AR | Requires improvement |
| Workington Academy | CA14 4EB | Requires improvement |
| Kirkby Stephen Grammar School | CA17 4HA | Inadequate |
| Netherhall School | CA15 6NT | Inadequate |
| The Whitehaven Academy | CA28 8TY | Inadequate |
Check schools near a specific Carlisle address
Ofsted ratings tell you which schools are strong, but admission depends on distance. A PostcodeCheck area report lists every school near your exact postcode with its rating, type, and distance, plus crime, flood, broadband, and house-price data.
Schools in Carlisle: FAQ
How many schools are there in Carlisle?
There are 200 registered schools in Carlisle on the latest Ofsted/GIAS data — 177 primary, 23 secondary, and the remainder all-through, special, or 16+ providers. Of these, 67% are rated Good or Outstanding.
What is the best-rated school in Carlisle?
22 schools are rated Outstanding by Ofsted in Carlisle, and 112 more are rated Good. Outstanding schools are often oversubscribed, so proximity (your postcode's distance to the school) usually determines whether you can get a place.
How do I check school catchment for a Carlisle postcode?
Catchment depends on the exact address. Enter any Carlisle postcode into PostcodeCheck and the area report lists every school near that postcode, its Ofsted rating, type, and distance — the data admissions teams use to decide places.
Does living near a good school in Carlisle affect house prices?
Yes. Homes inside the effective catchment of an Outstanding or Good school typically command a 5-15% premium. The effect is strongest for primary schools, where catchment areas are smaller and admissions are tightly distance-based.