Parkside Academy, BARROW-in-FURNESS
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 8 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Parkside Academy creates a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels valued and belongs. The early years provision is particularly strong, with children making excellent progress through expert teaching and a focus on reading from the start. Staff are deeply committed to supporting all pupils, especially those with additional needs or disadvantages, ensuring they can access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.
Key Strengths
- High attendance rates, significantly above national average, with strong support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND
- Excellent pupil behaviour - pupils are polite, respectful and self-disciplined in a safe, purposeful environment
- Outstanding early years provision with expert staff interactions and strong focus on phonics and reading
- Inclusive approach that removes barriers for vulnerable pupils to access the full range of school life
- Extensive personal development programme including sports teams, leadership roles and residential visits
Areas for Improvement
- In some subjects, pupils do not make strong links between what they have learned before, limiting depth of understanding
- Some teaching activities are not consistently effective in helping pupils deepen their knowledge
- Pupils need more opportunities to apply learning across subjects to develop more secure understanding
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture where all legal requirements are fulfilled, leaders have established that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and pupils feel safe and trust adults.
Extracurricular Activities
Sports teams, choir, eco-warrior roles, school council, residential visit to London
Parkside Academy is a school where pupils thrive in a calm, orderly environment with high attendance and excellent behaviour. Leaders have created an inclusive culture where all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, receive well-targeted support to access an ambitious curriculum.
At a Glance
32.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 65% to 79%. Maths has improved from 71% to 75%. Writing has improved from 71% to 79%.
Class Sizes
28.1
Avg class size
29.7
Infant (KS1)
29.5
KS2
10
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Train Stations
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
91%
Near capacity
272 pupils
300 capacity
28 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - BARROW-in-FURNESS
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for BARROW-in-FURNESS
Admissions Demand - Westmorland and Furness
Places available
2,627
Applications
1,698
Got 1st preference
97.9%
Got preferred school
99.4%
Primary admissions across Westmorland and Furness (2025/26)
Inspection History(5)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.2579%
Overall absence
10.05587%
Persistent absence
179
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Parkside Academy
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