Furness Academy
Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9BB · Westmorland and Furness · secondary school
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13th of 20 secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 828 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.6/10 among them, against 2.1/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 31.7 · 18 | 30% | 0.53 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.36 · 23 | 25% | 0.58 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.8 · 23 | 10% | 0.23 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Furness Academy overview
How it's doing
Furness Academy is rated Good by Ofsted, last inspected in 2023. In 2024/25, 35.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.36 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than peers nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,187 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the attainment gap with the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Furness Academy
Overview
Furness Academy is described as a school that has undergone "transformational changes" to raise expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders have established a "calm, purposeful atmosphere" where pupils behave well, feel safe, and achieve well in most subjects. The report highlights a curriculum that is "suitably ambitious" and well-designed to meet local employment needs.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "wide and diverse range of valuable experiences," including international trips and performing arts.
- Teachers deliver subject curriculums "skilfully" and present new ideas with clarity, helping pupils build a "deep body of subject knowledge."
- Leaders have "effective systems" to identify and support pupils who have fallen behind in reading or have special educational needs.
- Staff receive appropriate training and professional development, and governors "support and challenge leaders effectively."
- A "well-designed and coherent careers programme" ensures pupils are well informed about post-school options.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, some teachers do not use assessment strategies effectively to rectify pupils’ misunderstandings, which hinders learning. Leaders should ensure teachers address misconceptions to provide a "strong foundation for subsequent learning."
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with "thorough and robust" practices, knowledgeable staff, and close collaboration with external agencies to support vulnerable pupils.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.9 |
| 2024/25 | 42.4 |
| 2025/26 | 40.8 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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