Schools by area › Cumberland › The Nelson Thomlinson School
The Nelson Thomlinson School
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–18 · Voluntary controlled
High Street, Wigton CA7 9PX · nts.cumbria.sch.uk · 01697 342160
Overview
- Ofsted
- Good
- 2019 framework · inspected Oct 2023
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 46.2
- average Attainment 8 score. Cumberland 42.3, England 46
- Demand for places
- 1.0
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 1,095
- Local authority
- Cumberland
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 14.2%
- First language not English
- 4.3%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, 163 families put the school first and 170 places were offered; 100% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 170 | 163 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 152 | 146 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 198 | 194 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 196 | 196 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 180 | 178 | 1 | 100% |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 46.2, and 46.9% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Cumberland it was 42.3, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade C (31.4 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ●46.2 | 46.0 | ||
| ●46.9% | 45.4% | ||
| ▲73.7% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼20.1% | 40.5% | ||
| ●4.04 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 42 | −8 |
| Further education | 34.8 | +8.8 |
| Apprenticeship | 12.1 | +0.3 |
| Employment | 4.8 | +0.9 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 3.4 | −3 |
| Activity not captured | 2.9 | +1.4 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79 students | C (31.4) | Below average -0.19 | |
| 79 students | C+ (31.8) | Below average -0.15 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 95 | C+ (34.3) | +0.01 |
| 2022/23 | 109 | C+ (32.9) | — |
| 2021/22 | 98 | B- (35.9) | — |
| 2018/19 | 120 | C+ (32.2) | -0.07 |
| 2017/18 | 106 | C (31.1) | +0.02 |
| 2016/17 | 108 | C (28.7) | -0.05 |
| 2015/16 | 120 | C (31.4) | -0.01 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 47.5 | −11.3 |
| Further education | 2 | — |
| Apprenticeship | 15.2 | +1.5 |
| Employment | 20.2 | −2.3 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 11.1 | +10.1 |
| Activity not captured | 4 | +0.1 |
Ofsted
The Nelson Thomlinson School was judged Good at its last graded inspection, on 17 October 2023, under Ofsted’s 2019 framework.
- Overall
- Good
- Inspected
- 17 Oct 2023
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Good |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Previously: Outstanding, graded inspection, May 2013
Earlier inspections
Before September 2019
May 2013Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Outstanding Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Nov 2006Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Outstanding Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding 16 to 19 study programmes Outstanding
What parents said
66% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (204 replies, to 2 September 2024).
- Recommend
- 66%
- Replies
- 204
- 2 Sept 2024
based on the 81% who raised concerns
based on the 43% who had a child bullied
based on 24 parents (12%) with SEND