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Victoria Junior School logo

Victoria Junior School

  • Ofsted: Requires improvement in 2 areas · Jan 2025
  • Ages 7 to 11
  • Workington CA14
  • 311 pupils

In short: a primary school, serving a community where many families are on low incomes. Ofsted's January 2025 inspection gave no overall grade and found 2 areas Requires improvement and 2 areas Good. Recent results are below average, and attendance is close to average.

Young children sitting together at a classroom table
A red-brick school building under a blue sky

Eduscope rank score

How it ranks in England

A score out of 100 against schools of the same phase, from Ofsted, results and attendance.

DfE and Ofsted dataHow we work this out

Good to know

  • Strong areas. Ofsted's January 2025 inspection found 2 areas Good.
  • Money in reserve: £47,994 saved at the last count.

Worth checking

  • Weak areas. Ofsted's January 2025 inspection found 2 areas Requires improvement.
  • Results below England. 29% met the standard. England: 62%.
  • Behind similar schools. It's ahead of about 1% of schools with a similar share on free school meals.
  • Ofsted inspectedJan 2025Areas graded, 1 year ago
  • Met the standard at 1129%Cumberland 56% · England 62%
  • Free school meals35%Cumberland 20%
  • Pupils311Room for 330
  • Days missed5%About 10 days a year
Then and now

Ofsted inspected Jan 2025 · areas graded

Ofsted rated the school Good in 2014. 4 years later it was still Good. Since then Ofsted has inspected it again and graded each area. Since September 2024 Ofsted no longer gives an overall grade.

Every Ofsted visit

Ofsted inspects every state school every few years. Choose a year to see what they found.

Satisfactory at 3 inspections in a row before Good in 2014.

What Ofsted found in January 2025

  • SafeguardingEffective
  • Quality of educationRequires improvement
  • Behaviour and attitudesGood
  • Personal developmentGood
  • LeadershipRequires improvement
Read the 2025 report on Ofsted

Earlier visits

  • 15 Dec 2010No grade givenReport
  • 25 Nov 2008SatisfactoryReport
  • 21 Jun 2006No grade givenReport
  • 30 Nov 2005SatisfactoryReport
  • 18 Jan 2001No grade givenReport
Other Ofsted documents (1)

Letters and checks that aren't inspections, such as academy conversions, complaints and desk assessments. They don't change the school's grade.

A teacher helping a group of children working at their tables2018-19 vs now
How the school compares now with 2018-19
Measure2018-19Now
Ofsted gradeGoodAreas graded
Met the standard at 1152%29%
Pupils288311

Mrs Pauline Robertson, executive headteacher.

The four grades, in plain English

Outstanding
Much better than the minimum.
Good
Meets every standard well.
Requires improvement
Not yet good. Ofsted will be back soon.
Inadequate
Serious problems that must be fixed.
Results

How children do by age 11

At the end of Year 6, children take national tests (called SATs) in reading, writing and maths. Latest results: summer 2025.

About 3 in 10 children met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths

Expected standard means a child is ready for secondary school work in all three subjects. 2025 tests.

29 out of every 100 Year 6 children
Victoria29%
Cumberland56%
England62%

71 pupils took these tests in 2025, so one child is about 1 percentage points.

Against 2,177 primary schools with a similar share of children on free school meals (30% to 40%), it's ahead of about 1% on the expected standard over recent years.

A girl reading a book on library stairs

Test scores, 2025

100 means the child met the standard. The highest possible is 120.

Reading101
England106
Maths99
England105

Grammar and spelling: 48% met the standard (England 73%).

Every result, year by yearEach England row is the figure for the same year.
20252024202320222021202020192018
Pupils tested716364–––9465
Met the expected standard29%27%20%–––52%49%
England62%61%60%65%64%
Higher standard0%3%0%–––9%5%
England8%8%8%11%10%
Reading score101101100–––101100
England106105105104105
Maths score999695–––102102
England105104104105104
Grammar and spelling48%43%36%–––69%80%
England73%72%72%78%78%
Disadvantaged pupils263035–––4326
Disadvantaged, expected standard12%13%9%–––44%35%
England47%46%44%51%51%
Other pupils, expected standard39%39%34%–––59%59%
England69%67%66%71%70%
Reading progress––-2.2–––-3.5-5
Writing progress––-3.1–––+0.5-0.6
Maths progress––-5.9–––-3.9-2.6

The expected standard is the level the government expects at the end of Year 6, in reading, writing and maths together. The higher standard is well above it. Scores run from 80 to 120, and 100 meets the expected standard.

Disadvantaged pupils are those on free school meals in the last 6 years, or in care. Each group's England row is the same group across England. Small groups swing a lot from year to year, and a dash means DfE published no figure, often to protect small groups.

Progress compares children with others who started from the same point, and 0 is average. There are no scores after 2023, because the Year 2 tests they're measured from were cancelled in Covid.

Source: DfE, Find school and college performance data.

There were no national tests in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid. Tests came back in 2022, but DfE didn't publish school results for that year.

Victoria among primary schools in Cumberland

Each dot is one school, placed by the share of children meeting the expected standard.

Cumberland 56%England 62%0%25%50%75%100%Distington Community School: 9%Holm Cultram Abbey CofE Primary School: 10%Blackford CofE Primary School: 13%Crosscanonby St John's CofE School: 18%Blennerhasset School: 29%Thwaites School: 29%Victoria: 29%Northside Primary School: 30%Fir Ends Primary School: 33%Montreal CofE Primary School: 33%All Saints' CofE School: 35%St Bridget's CofE School: 36%Valley Primary School and Nursery: 36%Braithwaite CofE Primary School: 36%Kirkbride Primary School: 38%Broughton Moor Primary School: 38%Silloth Primary School: 38%Robert Ferguson Primary School: 38%Hallbankgate Village School: 38%Monkwray Junior School: 41%St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle: 41%Seaton St. Paul's CofE Junior School: 42%Brook Street Primary School: 43%Waberthwaite CofE School: 43%The Bishop Harvey Goodwin School (Church of England Voluntary Aided): 43%Bransty Primary School: 44%Boltons CofE School: 45%St Michael's CofE Primary School: 45%Maryport CofE Primary School: 45%Dean CofE School: 45%Thomlinson Junior School: 46%Inglewood Junior School: 46%Orgill Primary School: 46%Cumwhinton School: 47%St Bridget's CofE School: 47%St Begh's Catholic Junior School: 47%St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Workington: 47%Ewanrigg Junior School: 48%Burgh by Sands School: 50%Haverigg Primary School: 50%Lowca Community School: 50%Black Combe Junior School: 50%Newlaithes Junior School: 50%Beckermet CofE School: 50%Hensingham Primary School: 50%Petteril Bank School: 50%Pennine Way Primary School: 51%Flimby Primary School: 52%St Patrick's Catholic Primary School: 53%Moor Row Community Primary School: 54%St Herbert's CofE (VA) Primary and Nursery School: 54%Wreay Church of England Primary School: 54%Our Lady and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Maryport: 54%Seascale Primary School: 55%Stanwix School: 55%Newtown Primary School: 55%Caldew Lea School: 56%St Matthew's CofE School: 57%St Bede's Catholic Primary School: 57%Rockcliffe CofE School: 58%Dearham Primary School: 58%Richmond Hill School: 59%Norman Street Primary School: 59%Warwick Bridge Primary School: 59%Kingmoor Junior School: 60%Brampton Primary School: 60%St Cuthberts Catholic Primary School, Carlisle: 60%Upperby Primary School: 61%St Bees Village Primary School: 61%Ashfield Junior School: 62%St Bridget's Catholic Primary School: 62%Kirkbampton CofE School: 63%St James' Catholic Primary School: 64%Westfield Nursery and Primary School: 64%Beckstone Primary School: 65%Derwent Vale Primary and Nursery School: 67%Plumbland CofE School: 67%Rosley CofE School: 67%Lorton School: 67%Houghton CofE School: 68%Yewdale School: 68%Longtown Primary School: 68%Belle Vue Primary School: 69%St Mary's Catholic Primary School: 69%Frizington Community Primary School: 70%Raughton Head CofE School & Nursery: 70%St Patrick's Catholic Primary School: 70%Castle Carrock School: 70%Broughton Primary School: 72%Cummersdale School: 73%Thursby Primary School: 74%St James' CofE Junior School: 74%Eaglesfield Paddle CofE Primary Academy: 74%Wiggonby CofE School: 75%Bowness-on-Solway Primary School: 75%St Mary's Catholic Primary School: 76%Irthington Village School: 78%Ennerdale and Kinniside CofE Primary School: 78%Scotby CofE Primary School: 78%Bookwell Primary School: 80%Moresby Primary School: 80%Great Corby School and Nursery: 80%Gosforth CofE Primary School and Nursery: 81%Lanercost CofE Primary School: 82%Shankhill CofE Primary School: 83%Fairfield Primary School: 83%Bridekirk Dovenby CofE Primary School: 87%Hayton CofE Primary School: 88%Crosby-on-Eden CofE School: 88%Jericho Primary School: 89%Stoneraise School: 90%St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School: 91%Victoria 29%
Victoria is higher than 4 of 111 other Cumberland state primary schools in 2025.
Day to day

Life at Victoria

The average child misses about 10 days a year

That's 5% of the school year, for any reason including illness. And 1 in 9 children (11%) missed at least 1 day in 10, which counts as persistently absent. Cumberland: 10%. England, primary schools: about 13%.

In schoolMissed

No pupils were suspended in 2024/25

Across England, similar schools: 1.1%. No permanent exclusions.

Before and after schoolWe don't hold club times. Ask the school.

Pupils

Who goes to Victoria

A steady school: 284 pupils in 2018, 311 now.

Year 6, in darker blue, is the year group that sits the tests at 11.
Children in front of a bookshelf

Ethnic background

80% White British · 7% African · 4% Unclassified · 3% White Other · 6% in smaller groups

  • 35.4%

    Free school meals

    Children from lower-income families. The school gets extra money to support them.

    Cumberland20%

  • 12.2%

    English as an additional language

    Children who speak another language at home. It says nothing about how well they speak English.

    Cumberland7.2%

  • 26.7%

    Special educational needs

    Children with special educational needs, with or without an EHC plan.

    Main needs recorded (pupils)

    • Autism17
    • Speech, language and communication9
    • Social, emotional and mental health8

    Cumberland18.8%

  • 5.1%

    EHC plan

    Children with a legal plan for more complex needs (an Education, Health and Care plan).

Pupils and attendance, year by yearEach England row is for the same year and kind of school.
2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014
Pupils on roll311312307264253263–288284––––
Days missed–5%5.7%6.6%6.8%3.4%–5.6%5.3%4.5%5.2%4.7%4.5%
England5.2%5.5%5.9%6.3%3.7%4%4.2%4%4%4%3.9%
Often absent–11.3%14.9%23%21.1%8.8%–15.5%13.9%11.2%13.7%10.8%10.2%
England13%14.5%16.2%17.7%8.8%8.2%8.7%8.3%8.2%8.4%8%

Each year is the school year ending that summer, so 2025 means 2024-25. Days missed is the share of school sessions missed for any reason. Often absent is the share of pupils missing at least 1 day in 10.

Source: DfE, school census and pupil absence.

Attendance for 2026 isn't published yet.

2021 attendance was shaped by Covid, so read it with care.

There are no 2020 figures: Covid stopped the attendance count, and we don't hold that year's pupil numbers.

Our pupil numbers start in 2018.

Open day

What to ask when you visit

Based on what the data says about Victoria. Take this list with you.

  1. 1“What did Ofsted say on its January 2025 visit?”The Good grade is from 2018. The newer report is the best guide to the school today.
  2. 2“How will you use the money in reserve?”The school had £47,994 saved at the last count.
  3. 3“How do you support children who need extra help?”26.7% of pupils have special educational needs here.
Nearby

Other primary schools nearby

Popular schools fill up, so it's wise to list more than one. Here's how Victoria compares with its neighbours.

See all Cumberland primaries
Ofsted: Requires improvement in 2 areasYou're here

Victoria Junior School

CA14 2RE · Community School · 311 pupils

Met the standard
29%
Days missed
5%
Pupils per teacher
18.7
Ofsted: Good in every area

Victoria Infant and Nursery School

CA14 3XB · State · Primary · Ages 2–7

Days missed
4.2%
Pupils per teacher
8.7
Ofsted: Good

St Michael's Nursery and Infant School

CA14 2UY · State · Primary · Ages 2–7

Days missed
6.3%
Pupils per teacher
37.5
Ofsted: Good

St Patrick's Catholic Primary School

CA14 2DW · State · Primary · Ages 4–11

Met the standard
53%
Days missed
4.0%
Pupils per teacher
22.1

Keep an eye on Victoria

We'll email you when there's a new Ofsted report, new results or new admissions figures. Nothing else.

Staff and money

Teachers, and what the school spends

1 teacher for every 19 children

Children per teacher across the whole school, not class size. Cumberland: 18.9. England, primary schools: 20.7. Counting teaching assistants and other support staff, there's 1 adult for every 11 children.

16.7teachers (full-time equivalent)
11.4teaching assistants
91%of teachers fully qualified
Pupils in a classroom while their teacher presents
Staff, year by yearEach England row is for the same year and kind of school.
2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011
Pupils per teacher18.719.319.118.719.319.519.42120.72218.720.918.922.821.2–
England20.720.820.820.720.620.620.920.920.920.620.520.420.520.520.5
Teachers (full-time)16.716.216.114.113.113.513.413.713.712.314.311.313.310.312.51
Teaching assistants11.414.110.411.413.510.610.59.97.77.46.49.37.98.16.8–
Qualified teachers91%97%94%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%

Each year is the November staff count of that school year, so 2025 means 2024-25. Pupils per teacher covers the whole school, not class size. Full-time counts two half-time teachers as one. Qualified means holding qualified teacher status.

Source: DfE, School workforce in England.

£7,335 spent on each child a year

2025 to 2026. Up from £5,408 in 2015. Cumberland: £8,091.

  • Staff (teachers, assistants and others)£5,21571%
  • Buildings and grounds£3545%
  • Everything else: books, IT, food, supplies£1,76624%
Money in
£7,551
Spent
£7,335

These are the school's own accounts. In 2025-26 it took in £67,141 more than it spent (£216 per pupil). Money left over goes into its reserves.

The school had £47,994 saved (£154 per pupil) in 2026. Reserves are for a rainy day, but they're meant to benefit pupils. Worth asking how they'll be used.

Money per pupil, year by yearEach England row is for the same year and kind of school.
202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Spending£7,335£7,273£6,475£6,757£7,322£5,644£6,077£5,233£5,030£4,945£4,955£5,408
England£7,039£6,588£6,167£5,758£5,397£5,306£5,126£5,058£5,066
Income£7,551£7,204£6,218£6,510£7,201£6,017£6,184£5,370£5,040£5,143£4,664£5,360
Staff costs£5,215£4,867£4,366£4,495£4,490£4,092£3,991£3,228£3,134£3,246––
Buildings and grounds£354£508£309£402£463£148£229£232£225£235––
Reserves£154£-61£9£309£580£675£305£179£42£33£-168£140

Each year is the financial year ending in that year. Per pupil means the year's total divided by the number of pupils. These are day-to-day figures: big building projects aren't counted.

Source: DfE, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool.

The basics

School details

Ages
7 to 11
Type
Community School
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
None
Size
311 pupils, 330 places
Executive Headteacher
Mrs Pauline Robertson
Council
Cumberland
Address
Victoria Road, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2RE
School number (URN)
112145 · See it on the government register
Questions

Questions parents ask

Is Victoria Junior School a good school?

Ofsted's January 2025 inspection gave no overall grade and found 2 areas Requires improvement and 2 areas Good. In 2025, 29% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, against 56% in Cumberland and 62% across England. Visit, and read the latest inspection report.

What is Victoria Junior School's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted's January 2025 inspection gave no overall grade and found 2 areas Requires improvement and 2 areas Good. The full report on Ofsted's website explains what it does well and what it needs to improve.

What are Victoria Junior School's SATs results?

In 2025, 29% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, against 56% in Cumberland and 62% across England. 0% reached the higher standard, against 5% in Cumberland and 8% across England. Its average scaled scores were 101 in reading and 99 in maths, where 100 is the expected standard.

How does Victoria Junior School compare with other schools in Cumberland?

29% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2025. That puts it joint 106th of 112 mainstream state primary schools in Cumberland with published results that year.

Is it a faith school?

No, it doesn't have a religious character.

How do you work out the Eduscope rank score?

We compare the school with others of the same phase across England on its latest Ofsted inspection, results and attendance, and turn that into a score out of 100. The weights are on our methodology page. Admissions, staff and money aren't part of it.

Sources: Department for Education school performance tables, school census and workforce, academy accounts, admissions statistics, Ofsted and ISI. Photos are stand-ins. School details and inspections checked against official records on 5 November 2026.

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