West Lakes Academy
Egremont, CA22 2DQ · Cumberland · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th of 19 secondary schools in Cumberland we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 839 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2/10 among them, against 1.9/10 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 | 32.1 · 18 | 46% | 0.85 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.42 · 20 | 38% | 0.76 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.6 · 18 | 15% | 0.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
West Lakes Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.42, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.4 out of 10 among them, against 2.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh award and the Academy Student Council. Sports include athletics, dance, and football. Arts activities feature a Christmas concert, a whole school production, and a young musician of the year competition. Trips have included Derwent Water and Tanzania. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,017 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,150. 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 current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds? How is the after-school club structured to support academic work or personal development?
What Ofsted said about West Lakes Academy
Overview
The report states that the quality of education is inadequate, with the trust failing to hold the school to account for a decline in standards. Leaders are in the early stages of stabilising the school, but current systems have limited impact on the education pupils receive. The school is placed in special measures as it is failing to provide an acceptable standard of education.
Strengths
- Pupils’ behaviour contributes to a "calm atmosphere" and they enjoy "respectful relationships" with staff.
- The school now takes "swift and appropriate action" when pupils report concerns, ensuring they feel safe.
- Some sixth-form students benefit from a vocational curriculum that is "well matched to their needs and interests."
- Pupils in the ‘West Lakes Connect’ provision receive support that improves their attendance and self-belief.
- Pupils know how to keep themselves physically and mentally healthy and recognise the features of a healthy relationship.
Areas to improve
- The trust must gain an accurate insight into the school’s effectiveness to provide necessary support and challenge.
- Staff must be equipped with effective strategies to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) consistently.
- The school must help staff address pupils’ errors and misunderstandings promptly so pupils build knowledge securely.
- The school should clarify expectations for pupils’ attitudes to learning and provide support to build resilience.
- The school must ensure pupils benefit from a broad range of opportunities to prepare them for life in modern Britain.
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 | 42.0 |
| 2024/25 | 40.8 |
| 2025/26 | 39.6 |
| 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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