The Whitehaven Academy
Whitehaven, CA28 8TY · Cumberland · secondary school
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6th of 19 secondary schools in Cumberland we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.4/10 against 816 of them, against 3.2/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 37.6 · 31 | 30% | 0.94 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.24 · 32 | 25% | 0.79 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.0 · 34 | 10% | 0.34 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Whitehaven Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. In 2024/25, 32.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.7, compared with the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those 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 (2.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Expressive Arts Team, Eco Council, Coding, Duke of Edinburgh, and Bake Off clubs. They participate in sporting events and teams, attend theatre visits, and perform in the Summer Arts Show. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 859 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,465. 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 gap between their Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum
What Ofsted said about The Whitehaven Academy
Overview
The report states that pupils are "kind and considerate," contributing to a "calm and respectful atmosphere." Leaders have successfully raised aspirations, ensuring most pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, "achieve well" and are "well prepared for the next phase of their education."
Strengths
- Pupils respond well to "high expectations" for behaviour, with leaders dealing "effectively" with bullying incidents.
- Teachers use "strong subject knowledge" to check understanding and address gaps, helping pupils "build their learning over time."
- Leaders have "prioritised reading," accurately identifying needs to support less-confident readers in becoming "confident, fluent readers."
- Pupils enjoy taking on responsibilities, such as prefects and "mental health ambassadors," developing into "confident, resilient and independent young people."
- The school is placed at the "heart of the local community," with strong links to the world of work and partner sixth-form centres.
Areas to improve
- In a "small number of subjects," some activities do not help pupils develop "sufficient depth of understanding," leaving them not "well prepared for the next stage of learning." Leaders must ensure teachers receive support to "further embed the curriculums" in these areas.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective," with leaders establishing a "strong safeguarding culture" and responding effectively to concerns to ensure pupils are safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.7 |
| 2024/25 | 39.7 |
| 2025/26 | 43.0 |
| 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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