Furness Academy
Park Drive, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9BBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Furness Academy is a secondary school in Barrow-in-Furness for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 160 schools in Westmorland and Furness. It ranks 13th of 20 secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 March 2023, report published 14 June 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 13 March 2023
Pupils at Furness Academy have been able to benefit from transformational changes to the school for the better over recent years. Leaders have realised their clear vision to raise expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have set out high expectations for both pupils' behaviour and achievement. Pupils have risen to this challenge admirably, and this has benefited the whole school community. Leaders have created a calm, purposeful atmosphere. There are clear and consistent routines in place for staff to manage pupils' conduct. Pupils behave well during lessons, and they are keen to try their best. As a result, current pupils achieve well in most subjects. Pupils comment that they feel safe and happy at school. They talked positively to inspectors about their time at school. Pupils treat each other with respect. Staff have forged respectful, positive and caring relationships with pupils. Leaders have ensured that there are effective systems in place to deal with incidents of bullying. Pupils say that bullying is not tolerated and that, when it does happen, it is dealt with quickly and appropriately. Pupils are afforded a wealth of opportunities to gain from a wide and diverse range of valuable experiences. For instance, international exchange trips to Germany and New York help students to experience the wider world. Many pupils relish the chance to learn the flute or violin. Added to this, pupils have opportunities to perform on stage in dramatic productions at a range of venues across the country.
What the school should improve
- In a small number of subjects, from time to time, some teachers do not use assessment strategies well to rectify pupils' misunderstandings. This hinders some pupils' learning in these subjects. Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment strategies effectively to address pupils' misconceptions so that they have a strong foundation for subsequent learning.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
225 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,187 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200
Schools near Furness Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moorfield Learning Centre | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| St Bernards Catholic High School, Barrow | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 34.6 |
| Chetwynde School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.2 |
| Walney Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 38.7 |
| Dowdales School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.8 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- FURNESS EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Helen Robinson
- Phone
- 01229484270
- Address
- Park Drive, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9BB
- Local authority
- Westmorland and Furness
- URN
- 135940
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.