Richard Rose Central Academy is a secondary school in Carlisle, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy sponsor led and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Richard Rose Central Academy currently has around 1034 pupils on roll, which is about 71% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 49.3% boys and 50.7% girls. Around 31.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 11.1%. Persistent absence is recorded at 27.9%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (75.5%). other white pupils make up about 11.4%
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 88% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (71%) , including 32% who stay in school sixth forms and 38% progressing to further education , while 11% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Victoria Place, Carlisle, CA1 1LY |
| Website: | http://www.rrca.org.uk |
| Telephone: | 01228822060 |
| School Type: | Academy sponsor led |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Cumberland |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Dan Markham |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 135621 |
Ofsted inspection date: 11/03/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1450 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1034 |
| Number of Boys: | 510 |
| Number of Girls: | 524 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 11.1% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 27.9% | 8.2% |
| White British | 75.50% | 781 |
| Other White | 11.40% | 118 |
| African | 3.30% | 34 |
| Other Mixed | 1.70% | 18 |
| Unclassified | 1.70% | 18 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 1.40% | 14 |
| Other Asian | 1.30% | 13 |
| Indian | 1.20% | 12 |
| White and Black African | 0.40% | 4 |
| White and Asian | 0.40% | 4 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.40% | 4 |
| Pakistani | 0.40% | 4 |
| Chinese | 0.40% | 4 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.30% | 3 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 2 |
| Other Black | 0.10% | 1 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norman Street Primary School Norman Street , CA1 2BQ | 3out of 4 | 664 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Brook Street Primary School Edward Street , CA1 2JB | 3out of 4 | 855 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Cuthbert's Catholic Community School Victoria Road , Botcherby CA1 2UE | - not rated | 1,423 yd | Voluntary aided school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Cuthberts Catholic Primary School, Carlisle Victoria Road , Botcherby CA1 2UE | 3out of 4 | 1,423 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Stanwix Primary School Church Street , CA3 9DW | - not rated | 1,470 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Rose Central Academy Victoria Place , CA1 1LY | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| St Aidan's County High School Specialist Sports College Lismore Place , CA1 1LY | - not rated | 94 yd | Foundation school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Trinity School Strand Road , CA1 1JB | - not rated | 575 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Trinity School Strand Road , CA1 1JB | - not rated | 575 yd | Voluntary aided school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Eden School Rickerby , CA3 9AA | - not rated | 1,224 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle College Victoria Place , CA1 1HS | - not rated | 435 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Cumbria College of Art and Design Brampton Road , CA3 9AY | - not rated | 1,389 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eden Park Academy 119 Warwick Road , CA1 1JZ | - not rated | 201 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Progress Schools - Carlisle 7 Victoria Place , CA1 1EJ | - not rated | 589 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Brunswick Centre 9 Brunswick Street , CA1 1PB | - not rated | 597 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| University of Cumbria Paternoster Row , CA3 8TB | - not rated | 1,134 yd | Higher education institutions | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Cumbria Institute of the Arts Brampton Road , CA3 9AY | - not rated | 1,389 yd | Higher education institutions | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.