Best secondary schools in Carlisle (2026)
Carlisle has 4 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is Trinity School, in the top 67% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 42.0, against 46.1 for England. 0 are in England's top 10%, and 0 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Carlisle has no grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Bottom 34% in England |
Trinity School Carlisle · Church of England |
42.9 | 41.4 | 30% | Not judged | |
2 Bottom 34% in England |
Richard Rose Morton Academy Carlisle |
43.7 | 43.4 | 34% | Not judged | |
3 Bottom 28% in England |
Richard Rose Central Academy Carlisle |
41.5 | 42.3 | 35% | Not judged | |
4 Bottom 14% in England |
St John Henry Newman Catholic School Carlisle · Roman Catholic |
39.8 | 41.0 | 30% | Good |
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Questions
What is the best secondary school in Carlisle?
On exam results over the last three years, Trinity School is the top-ranked secondary school in Carlisle, in the top 67% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.