The short version
Below-average GCSE results. Rated Good by Ofsted (2017).
- GCSE results are below the national average (Attainment 8: 30.2 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2017
- This school does not have a sixth form
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
30.2
13.6 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
23%
18.7pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
15%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
89%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
63%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
16%
Employment
Directly into work
11%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
11%
Based on 19 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 23 days per year on average — over a month of school.
35% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
9% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 10 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 8 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 13 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Foundation school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 107
- Capacity
- 46%
- FSM
- 19.6%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Westmorland and Furness
- Head
- Mr Rob Dawson (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
10 official reports linked on this page, including 9 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Full inspection: Good
March 2017 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
July 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
March 2015 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
May 2013 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
September 2012 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Inadequate
February 2012 | Full Inspection
Interim assessment
June 2010 | Interim assessment Interim assessment
Full inspection: Good
November 2006 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
May 2002 | Full Inspection
Location
Church Road, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3QU
Rural setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmQuestions parents ask
Is Samuel King's School a selective school?
No. Samuel King's School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Samuel King's School's Ofsted rating?
Samuel King's School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in July 2022. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Samuel King's School?
Samuel King's School currently has 107 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Samuel King's School take?
Samuel King's School caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Samuel King's School?
Samuel King's School is in Alston, CA9 3QU, in the Westmorland and Furness local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Samuel King's School have a sixth form?
No, Samuel King's School does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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