West Lakes Academy, Egremont

In its own words: "West Lakes Academy is committed to the creation of a fully inclusive, aspirational, high achieving Centre of Excellence, firmly rooted in the local community. Our vision is to succeed in ‘Changing Lives through Learning’ by providing the very best possible educational opportunities for young people in West Cumbria."

From the headteacher's welcome: "West Lakes Academy is a vibrant 11-18 secondary school nestled in the western edge of the picturesque Lake District of Cumbria, serving a dynamic community of 1,200 students. Since opening in September 2008 and moving into our state-of-the-art £26m building in 2012, we have been committed to delivering the highest quality education in an environment that inspires success."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, athletics, dance, drama and Duke of Edinburgh.

In 2026, pupils at West Lakes Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.6, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 40.4 in Cumberland and 47 across England.

32% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 32% in Cumberland and 47% in England.

That is down from 40.8 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.42: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 27.1, against 44.6 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 17.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Art and Design and History.

For September 2026 entry, 109 families put West Lakes Academy as their first choice and 201 named it as one of their preferences, for 117 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 secondary schools to West Lakes Academy are The Whitehaven Academy (3.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43); and St Benedict's Catholic High School (4.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.8).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than West Lakes Academy.

West Lakes Academy is one of 9 schools run by Changing Lives Learning Trust, an academy trust.

239 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about West Lakes Academy (as of September 2025): 13% would recommend the school, 41% say their child is happy there and 14% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (48%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (13%).

Of the 197 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 70% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 31% to a further education college, 16% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Of the 86 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 29% went on to university or other higher education, 38% to apprenticeships and 23% into work. 15% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

2.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Nethertown Rail Station, about 2.4 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is West Lakes Academy (near), 70 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood West Lakes Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 5th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 35 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and other crime. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cumberland (22), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, West Lakes Academy issued 427 suspensions, 38 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to West Lakes Academy are St Bridget's Catholic Primary School (0.2 miles), Bookwell Primary School (0.3 miles), Orgill Primary School (0.4 miles) and Thornhill Primary School (1.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.