Parkside Academy, BARROW-in-FURNESS

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades Parkside Academy on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Attendance is high and remains above the national average."

Early years - Strong standard. "Children make an excellent start to their education in the early years."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive culture where all pupils thrive."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have established a well‑considered personal development programme that prepares pupils effectively for life in modern Britain."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well across the curriculum, including in the school's published outcomes from national tests."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear understanding of the school's context and its priorities for improvement."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that teachers design activities that help pupils to build depth in their knowledge across the curriculum".

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is my pleasure to welcome you to Parkside Academy-a vibrant, nurturing school community where children are at the heart of everything we do. Our vision, “Together we nurture, together we grow, together we inspire,” reflects our unwavering commitment to every child’s personal and academic development."

In 2025, 79% of Year 6 pupils at Parkside Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 75% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 73% in Westmorland and Furness and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 65% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put Parkside Academy as their first choice and 46 named it as one of their preferences, for 27 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Parkside Academy are Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow (0.3 miles, 57% reading, 76% maths); Greengate Junior School (0.4 miles, Good, 74% reading, 81% maths); Cambridge Primary School (0.4 miles, 72% reading, 72% maths); and Ramsden Infant School (0.4 miles, Good).

Parkside Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

Parkside Academy is one of 7 schools run by Furness Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 72% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

47 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Parkside Academy (as of April 2026): 96% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (98%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

1.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Station Entrance, about 970 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Park Leisure Centre (opposite), 80 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Parkside Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 4th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 336 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Westmorland and Furness (11), as is usual near a town centre.

Parkside Academy recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Parkside Academy are Furness Academy (0.1 miles); St Bernards Catholic High School, Barrow (1.1 miles); and Chetwynde School (1.2 miles).