Is The Queen Katherine School a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 6 May 2026 under its report-card framework and graded five areas at Strong standard and two at Expected standard. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded C, 4th of 20 secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are The Queen Katherine School's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at The Queen Katherine School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49.3 (England: 46.2). 44.3% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at The Queen Katherine School?

Applications for Year 7 places at The Queen Katherine School starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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The Queen Katherine School

Appleby Road, Kendal, LA9 6PJ

Local ranking4th of 20 secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness

Ofsted: StrongUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1465

Capacity

11-19

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 6 May 2026. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 6 May 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Expected standard
Curriculum & teaching: Expected standard
Attendance & behaviour: Strong standard
Personal development & wellbeing: Strong standard
Leadership & governance: Strong standard
Inclusion: Strong standard
Post-16 provision: Strong standard

Scale: Exceptional · Strong · Expected · Needs attention · Urgent improvement

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 49.3 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 44.3% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 62.3% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 122

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 99.0%
Continued in education: 82.0%
Apprenticeships: 6.0%
Employment: 10.0%
Not sustained: 1.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 90.0%
Higher education: 44.0%
Apprenticeships: 9.0%
Employment: 27.0%
Not sustained: 10.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

B-

Avg A-Level Grade

35.0

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

37.5

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 23.9% nat17.5%
Applied General Avg Points: 38.1
16-18 Cohort: 137

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 917
Boys: 427 (47%)
Girls: 483 (53%)
Capacity: 1465 (62% full)
SEND: 21.4%
FSM Eligible: 19.4%
EAL: 7.7%
SEN with EHC Plan: 3.8%
SEN Support: 17.6%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 18.1:1
Teachers (FTE): 50.7
Budget per Pupil: £2,621/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 7.7% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 20.4% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Nursery: Not applicable
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 87.6%
White Other: 6.1%
Black African: 1.0%
Mixed White & Black African: 0.9%
Mixed White & Asian: 0.9%
Other: 0.9%
Mixed White & Black Caribbean: 0.7%
Asian Indian: 0.7%

87.6%

White British

6.1%

White Other

1.0%

Black African

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01539743900

jon.hayes@queenkatherine.org

Visit website

Appleby Road

Kendal, North West

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Administrative

URN: 136526
UKPRN: 10033250
Establishment No.: 5404
Trust: CUMBRIA EDUCATION TRUST

Common questions about The Queen Katherine School

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