Cairn Education CIC
School summary
With just ten pupils on its roll, Cairn Education CIC is among the smallest independent schools imaginable, offering a setting where every child is genuinely known. This mixed, non-boarding school in Cumbria takes pupils from age 11 and is led by Head Rachael Thompson. Its scale suits families seeking a highly personal, low-volume alternative to larger mainstream provision.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Teaching & academics
The school admits pupils at 11 and operates an 11+ entry route. As an independent school inspected by the ISI, it works within the independent inspection framework rather than the state system.
Head · Rachael Thompson
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 0%
- EHC plans
- 100%
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SwitchED2
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Underley Garden School
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Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A tiny independent school where the headcount of ten all but guarantees individual attention - one for families who value an intimate, closely supported environment.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
Cairn Education CIC 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.