Walney Academy
Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3JT · Westmorland and Furness · secondary school
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20th 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 856 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.3/10 among them, against 0.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 27.3 · 10 | 46% | 0.49 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.2 · 1 | 38% | 0.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.5 · 22 | 15% | 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.
Walney Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 21.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.2 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than the national average for similar starting points. 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 (0.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 468 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 interventions are in place for students with a negative Progress 8 score?
What Ofsted said about Walney Academy
Overview
The report states that the school’s ambition for pupils has historically been insufficient, but recent leadership changes and a move to a new trust are beginning to address longstanding weaknesses. While a new, improved curriculum is in place, there remains "significant variability" in delivery, meaning some pupils do not learn as well as they should. The inspection highlights that while most pupils enjoy school and feel safe, poor attendance and inconsistent teaching practices continue to hinder progress.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "new and improved curriculum" that is broader and more ambitious than previous offerings.
- Most pupils "feel safe" and enjoy their learning, with positive attitudes towards school.
- New leaders have "quickly and accurately identified the shortcomings" and implemented clearer expectations for classroom routines.
- Pupils engage in a variety of clubs, activities, and leadership roles, such as charity ambassadors and sports leaders.
- The careers advice and guidance curriculum is "effectively designed," with pupils benefiting from external speakers and events.
Areas to improve
- Teaching and tasks in some subjects do not enable pupils to apply learning in sufficient depth, hindering curriculum progression.
- Methods for checking pupil understanding are inconsistent, leaving gaps in knowledge and misconceptions unaddressed.
- Support for struggling readers lacks consistency and rigour, preventing some pupils from catching up with peers.
- Attendance rates remain high, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Staff do not always adapt teaching effectively to meet the needs of pupils with SEND.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 34.4 |
| 2024/25 | 38.7 |
| 2025/26 | 40.5 |
| 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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