Austin Friars vs Caldew Lea School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in North West, England, 1.5 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Austin Friars
Carlisle · Independent all-through · Ages 3–18
278 students
Caldew Lea School
Carlisle · Academy primary · Ages 3–11
273 students
| Measure | Austin Friars Carlisle, North West | Caldew Lea School Carlisle, North West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 18 Lower 50% | 35 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #454 of 536 | #1460 of 2,286 |
| National rank | #3672 of 4,090 | #11265 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Independent | Academy |
| Type | All-through | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 3–18 | Ages 3–11 |
| Students | 278 | 273 |
| Pupils on roll | 278 | 273 |
| Free school meals | – | 33.3% |
| Capacity filled | 42.1% | 91% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | 56% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | 7% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 15.6 | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 0% | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 0% | – |
| EBacc average points | 0.96 | – |
| A level points per entry | 39.4 | – |
| town | Carlisle | Carlisle |
| region | North West | North West |
| Website | www.austinfriars.co.uk | www.caldewlea.cumbria.sch.uk/ |
The verdict
- •Caldew Lea School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (34.8 vs 18.1).
- •Austin Friars is the larger school with 278 students compared with 273.
- •Austin Friars is a independent school while Caldew Lea School is a academy school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Austin Friars better than Caldew Lea School?
On the Success Index (England), Caldew Lea School ranks higher (34.8 vs 18.1 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Austin Friars and Caldew Lea School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Carlisle and Carlisle in North West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Austin Friars: 278. Caldew Lea School: 273. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Austin Friars and Caldew Lea School rank in North West?
Austin Friars is 454th of 536 and Caldew Lea School is 1460th of 2,286 among all-through schools in North West on the 2025 Success Index (England).