Yarlside Academy, Barrow-in-Furness

In its own words: "At Yarlside we work hard to create an aspirational, challenging and happy learning environment, through which all learners are continually inspired and eager to learn. We want our pupils to enjoy coming to school and therefore believe that education should be engaging, relevant and fun."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our children are happy and confident individuals who enjoy coming to school. We excel in sport, provide extensive music and extra-curricular provision and deliver a vibrant creative curriculum, as well as having high standards of behaviour and excellent facilities. Yarlside is graded as an Outstanding school by Ofsted, we are a National Support School and a former Teaching School."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £3.50 per session.

In 2025, 100% of Year 6 pupils at Yarlside Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 100% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 73% in Westmorland and Furness and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (100% in reading, 100% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 39 families put Yarlside Academy as their first choice and 79 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 11 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Yarlside Academy are Roose School (0.5 miles, Good, 63% reading, 70% maths); Newbarns Primary and Nursery School (0.7 miles, 68% reading, 62% maths); Holy Family Catholic Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 76% reading, 76% maths); and Newton Village Academy (0.9 miles, 54% reading, 62% maths).

Yarlside Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Yarlside 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.

77 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Yarlside Academy (as of September 2025): 95% would recommend the school, 97% say their child is happy there and 46% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school has high expectations for their child (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (46%).

2.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 16 pupils (6.6%) received SEN support and 5 (2.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Roose Rail Station, about 840 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Primary School (outside), 50 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Yarlside Academy stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 67 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour 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.

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

The secondary schools closest to Yarlside Academy are St Bernards Catholic High School, Barrow (0.7 miles); Chetwynde School (1 mile); and Furness Academy (1 mile).