The short version
Below-average SATs results. Nearly full. Rated Good by Ofsted (2012).
- SATs results are below the national average, with 30% meeting the expected standard (national: 62%)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2012
- This is a Roman Catholic school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Reading, Writing & Maths
Expected standard
Pupils meeting expected level in all three
30%
-32.0pp vs nationalHigher standard
Pupils exceeding expected level
0%
-8.0pp vs nationalSubject scores
Reading
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
103
-3.0 vs nationalMaths
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
98
-7.0 vs nationalGrammar & spelling
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
101
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 9 days per year on average — about two weeks of school.
12% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 24 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 10 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 21 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 3–11
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Roman Catholic
Numbers
- Pupils
- 216
- Capacity
- 90%
- FSM
- 9.3%
Governance
- Local authority
- Westmorland and Furness
- Head
- Mrs Claire O'Donnell (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
- Nursery
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
7 official reports linked on this page, including 6 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Monitoring visit
November 2020 | Monitoring Visit
Short inspection
July 2017 | Short Inspection
Full inspection: Good
June 2012 | Full Inspection
Interim assessment
January 2011 | Interim assessment Interim assessment
Full inspection: Outstanding
May 2008 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
January 2003 | Full Inspection
Location
Church Lane, Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 3AD
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmSouth Walney Infant and Nursery School
Primary · 381m away
George Hastwell School
Special school · 451m away
George Hastwell School Special Academy
Academy · 451m away
South Walney Junior School
Primary · 462m away
Walney School
Secondary · 529m away
Vickerstown School
Primary · 740m away
Barrow Island Community Primary School
Primary · 1.4km away
Bram Longstaffe Nursery School
Nursery · 1.4km away
Questions parents ask
What is St Columba's School's Ofsted rating?
St Columba's School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in November 2022. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend St Columba's School?
St Columba's School currently has 216 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St Columba's School take?
St Columba's School caters for pupils aged 3 to 11. It is classified as a primary school.
Where is St Columba's School?
St Columba's School is in Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3AD, in the Westmorland and Furness local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does St Columba's School have a sixth form?
No, St Columba's School does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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