Furness Academy, based in Barrow-in-Furness, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy sponsor led and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

Furness Academy currently has around 1188 pupils on roll, which is about 99% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 52.4% boys and 47.6% girls. Around 29.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 9%. Persistent absence is recorded at 24.8%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (96%).

At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 94% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (79%) , including 3% who stay in school sixth forms and 75% progressing to further education , while 10% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Park Drive, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9BB
Website: http://www.furnessacademy.co.uk/
Telephone: 01229484270
School Type: Academy sponsor led
Education phase: Secondary
Local authority: Westmorland and Furness
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Helen Robinson
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Unique reference: 135940

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Overall effectiveness
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 13/03/2023

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 11 - 16
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 1200
Number of Pupils: 1188
Number of Boys: 622
Number of Girls: 566

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 9% 4%
Persistent absence: 24.8% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British96.00%1141
Other Mixed0.90%11
Other White0.80%9
Other (any other ethnic group)0.50%6
Other Asian0.40%5
African0.30%4
White and Asian0.30%4
Chinese0.30%3
White and Black African0.20%2
Pakistani0.20%2
Other Black0.10%1
Caribbean0.00%0
Indian0.00%0
Bangladeshi0.00%0
Irish0.00%0
White and Black Caribbean0.00%0
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Unclassified0.00%0

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Below average (-0.26)
Of the 196 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 193 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
-0.26
Town average
-0.52
Local authority average
-0.40
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
9%
Town average
10%
Local authority average
11%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
31%
Town average
34%
Local authority average
31%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
41.2
Town average
41.3
Local authority average
39.3
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
3.3
Town average
3.4
Local authority average
3.3
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
94%

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Hindpool Nursery School
Bath Street , LA14 5TS
- not rated 1,862 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Bram Longstaffe Nursery School
Farm Street , LA14 2RX
- not rated 1,980 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Parkside Academy
Greengate Street , LA13 9BY
3out of 4 229 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Greengate Infant School
Greengate Street , LA13 9BY
- not rated 229 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Priory Grove Infant School
Friars Lane , LA13 9NP
- not rated 674 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Cambridge Primary School
Cambridge Street , LA13 9RP
3out of 4 709 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Cambridge Primary School
Cambridge Street , LA13 9RP
- not rated 709 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Furness Academy
Park Drive , LA13 9BB
3out of 4 0 yd Academy sponsor led Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Parkview School
West Avenue , LA13 9AY
- not rated 421 yd Foundation school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
The Alfred Barrow School
Duke Street , LA14 2LB
- not rated 1,270 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Thorncliffe School - A Specialist Sports College
Thorncliffe Road , LA14 5QP
- not rated 1,680 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
St Bernard's Catholic High School
Rating Lane , LA13 9LE
- not rated 1,748 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School

16 plus

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Barrow-in-Furness Sixth Form College
Rating Lane , LA13 9LE
- not rated 2,015 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Furness College
Channelside , Bessemer Way LA14 2PJ
- not rated 2,204 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School

All-through

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Chetwynde School
Rating Lane , LA13 0NY
3out of 4 1,927 yd Free schools Yes Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
South Cumbria Pupil Referral Service
Newbridge House , Ewan Close LA13 9HU
3out of 4 481 yd Pupil referral unit Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Moorfield Learning Centre
Moorfield Street , Barrow in Furness LA13 9RS
- not rated 520 yd Other independent school No Mixed More About School
Chetwynde School
Rating Lane , LA13 0NY
- not rated 1,927 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.