Children and Young People in Carlisle 23,600 children and young people aged 0-19 live in Carlisle in 12,405 families, with Carlisle having the greatest number of 0-19-year-olds in Cumbria.3 In 2021, 21% of the population of Carlisle was aged 0-19, lower than the England percentage of 23.1%.4 16.5% of households in Carlisle in 2021 were single-family households with a cohabiting couple and dependent children (a reduction of 1.1% from 2011). 9.9% of households were lone parent households (no change since 2011).5 The percentage of children and young people aged 0-19 reduced between 2011 and 2021 in both Carlisle (-1.1%) and England (-0.9%). Population projections for Carlisle predict that between 2018 and 2028 the population of children and young people aged 0-19 will decline by 700 (-3%).6 CHILD POVERTY In 2022, 3,451 children (or 18.4%) lived in relative low-income families in Carlisle compared to 20.1% nationally. Rates were much higher in places like Botcherby and Harraby North ward where the percentage of children living in poverty was 28.8%.7 In August 2024, 8,425 children were living in Universal Credit households.8 The percentage of children and young people who are eligible for free school meals varies greatly between schools. Across all secondary schools in Carlisle, between 17.6% and 32.2% were eligible for Free School Meals in 2024.9 Currock and Upperby wards have the highest proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals at 35.3%.10 Results from Cumberland Council’s recent Food Insecurity Survey in 202411 also found that: In Secondary Schools In Primary Schools Students that do not qualify for free school meals are also struggling to afford meals and are running up debts on school payment systems. 79% are supporting families that are struggling financially around food. CHILDREN IN CARE AND CHILDREN AT RISK Using figures from 2020/2021, Carlisle had 67.9 looked after children per 10,000 population, slightly higher than the national rate of 67.12 But Carlisle had a higher number of children subject to child protection plans (58.6 per 10,000 of the population) when compared with Cumbria (53.8) and nationally (41).13 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PERFORMANCE14 According to data from Cumberland Council obtained in 2024: • There are 52 primary schools across Carlisle of which 92% have achieved an Ofsted rating of good, 6% outstanding and 2% requires improvement. • Of the six secondary schools, 50% have an Ofsted rating of good, while 50% require improvement. Nationally, Ofsted found that during September to December 2023 on average 15% of state funded schools were classified as outstanding, 68% as good, 13% as requires improvement and 4% as inadequate.15 At present no secondary school in Carlisle is rated as Outstanding. • There is one Special School in Carlisle rated as Outstanding and 1 Pupil Referral Unit (not rated). • The destinations for young people finishing secondary education vary significantly between schools. However, further education, including sixth form colleges, is an important destination as is apprenticeships (between 1-13% compared to England average of 3%) and employment (5-10% compared to England average of 4%). • Persistent absences – defined as the percentage of pupils missing 10% or more of the mornings or afternoons they could attend – range from 31.2% to 35.9%16 in 2022 -2023 across Carlisle’s secondary schools. This is troubling, as such absences can often negatively shape the opportunities available for a young person in later life. There are also an increasing number of children and young people who are being home educated in Cumberland, increasing from 424 in June 2023 to 571 in March 2024.17 This trend is reflected nationally, and concerns are also being raised about why children are being home educated and whether their education needs are being met.18 The Covid-19 pandemic caused widespread disruption to children’s education with young children profoundly affected by the isolation caused by remote learning, social distancing and reduced opportunities for face-to-face interaction. Challenges within the home environment, including not being dry at night or spending too much time on personal devices, are also identified as manifesting in negative behaviours within the school environment – notably anxiety and anger likely stemming from prolonged isolation, and a lack of routine.19 Part of the charm of Carlisle is that it is small, you see people you know all the time and it’s like a village. It’s lovely for families. The primary and secondary schools are good too. Lots of people come back to Carlisle to raise their families. Voluntary Sector Representative 1Golden Apple Awards: https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/24646997.newsquest-cumbria-host-golden-apple-awards-2024-kendal/ 2Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities dashboard, 2023-24 (Cumberland) https://www.cumbriaobservatory.org.uk/children/senddashboard/#:~:text=Special%20Educational%20Needs%20and%20Disabilities%20dashboard%2C%202023%2D24%20(Cumberland) 3Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, Key Children and Young People Statistics: Profile: Cumbria and Districts, 2022 http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/ Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf 4How life has change in Carlisle: Census 2021, Office for National Statistics, https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000028/ 5How life has changed in Carlisle: Census 2021 Office for National Statistics https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000028/ 6Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, Key Children and Young People Statistics: Profile: Cumbria and Districts 2022 http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf 7Children in low-income families: local area statistics 2014 to 2022: Department for Work and Pensions, 2023 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-familieslocal-area-statistics-2014-to-2022 8Labour Market Briefing September 2024: Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, December 2024 https://elibrary.cumbria.gov.uk/Content/ Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17224/45643131025.PDF 9https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Search?SelectedTab=Establishments 10Cumberland Council, Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary, February 2024. 11https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/health-and-wellbeing/food-cumberland-food-insecurity-survey-results 12Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, Key Children and Young People Statistics: Profile: Cumbria and Districts, 2022 https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/ Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf 13Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, Key Children and Young People Statistics: Profile: Cumbria and Districts, 2022 https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/ Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf 14https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/find-a-school-in-england#SearchSchools 15Official Statistics Main Findings: State-funded schools inspections and outcomes as at 31 December 2023, Ofsted, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/state-funded-schoolsinspections-and-outcomes-as-at-31-december-2023/main-findings-state-funded-schools-inspections-and-outcomes-as-at-31-december-2023#:~:text=Schools%20at%20their%20most%20 recent%20inspection,-90%25%20of%20all&text=90%25%20of%20all%20schools%20are%20now%20good%20or%20outstanding%2C%20a,83%25%20of%20secondary%20schools) 16https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk 17Home Education Statistics, Cumberland CSCP Safeguarding Group. 18The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/sep/21/crisis-uk-children-homeschooled-parents-pupils-schools 19Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary: Cumberland Council, 2024. 20Cumberland Council, Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary, February 2024. 21Young people are described as NEET if they are not in any form of education, employment or training. Those whose status is Not Known at the time of follow up are also classed as NEET. 22Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, Labour Market Briefing, April 2025 https://elibrary.cumbria.gov.uk/Content/Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17224/45762121732.PDF 23Key Children and Young People Statistics Profile (Cumbria and Districts): Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, 2022 http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/ Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf 24Cumberland Council, Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary, February 2024. Carlisle: Opportunities & Challenges 2025 12 13
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTI5NzM=