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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 112250

Houghton CofE School

Voluntary controlled school · Carlisle · CA3 0PA

Ages 4–11 · 179 pupils · Cumberland

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

KS2 expected (RWM)

62%

Overall absence

7.8%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-05-06

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)62%
Higher standard (RWM)7%
Avg scaled score — reading
107.0
Avg scaled score — maths
105.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
103.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)18.8%
Unauthorised2.4%
Authorised absence
5.4%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.9%
Enrolments in measure
170

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill85%

179 pupils · 210 places

Pupils on roll
179
Boys / girls
95 / 84
School capacity
210
Capacity fill
179 / 210 (85%)
Free school meals
5.6%
FSM pupils
10
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary controlled school

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of Carlisle
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Voluntary controlled school
Headteacher
Mr Stephen Johnston

Location

Address
Jackson Road, Houghton
Postcode
CA3 0PA
Town
Carlisle
County
Cumbria
Local authority
Cumberland
District
Cumberland
Constituency
Carlisle
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed voluntary controlled school (primary), Ages 4–11, in Carlisle, Cumberland, 179 pupils on roll. Free school meals: 5.6%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of Carlisle.

Open schools in Carlisle
56
Primary schools in Carlisle
45
Academies among open schools in Carlisle
29% (16)
Open schools in CA3
7
Primary in CA3
4
Open schools in Cumberland LA
181
Primary in Cumberland LA
146

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in CarlisleNear CA3

  • Kingmoor Junior School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Community school · Primary

    Carlisle · CA3 0DU · Cumberland

    Ages 7–11

    • KS261%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM16.8%

    1.2 miles away

  • Kingmoor Nursery and Infant School

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next

    Community school · Primary

    Carlisle · CA3 0ES · Cumberland

    Ages 3–7

    • Absence4.5%
    • FSM7.7%

    1.2 miles away

  • Stanwix School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Carlisle · CA3 9DW · Cumberland

    Ages 4–11

    • KS255%
    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM9.3%

    1.4 miles away

  • Blackford CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Carlisle · CA6 4ES · Cumberland

    Ages 3–11

    • Absence8.1%
    • FSM18.4%

    2.2 miles away

  • Norman Street Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Carlisle · CA1 2BQ · Cumberland

    Ages 4–11

    • KS252%
    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM21.7%

    2.3 miles away

  • Crosby-on-Eden CofE School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Carlisle · CA6 4QN · Cumberland

    Ages 3–11

    • KS283%
    • Absence3.8%
    • FSM4.3%

    2.4 miles away

  • Caldew Lea School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Carlisle · CA2 7BE · Cumberland

    Ages 3–11

    • KS264%
    • Absence5.5%
    • FSM33.3%

    2.4 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Stephen Johnston
Telephone
01228593992
Website
www.houghtonschool.co.uk/

Official links