What did Ofsted judge Walney Academy's quality of education to be?

Ofsted judged Walney Academy's quality of education as Requires improvement at its inspection in May 2025, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend Walney Academy?

Walney Academy has 468 pupils on roll.

What ages does Walney Academy take?

Walney Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is Walney Academy located?

Walney Academy is located in Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3JT, Westmorland and Furness.

How do I apply to Walney Academy?

Walney Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

How close do you need to live to get into Walney Academy?

Distance did not decide places at Walney Academy for 2026-27 (Year 7): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

How are Year 7 places decided at Walney Academy?

When Walney Academy has more applications than places for 2025-26, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — Looked after children, previously looked after children and children who were previously looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order); 2. Siblings — Children whose sibling attends Walney School at the time of the admission (this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address); 3. Catchment area — Children living in the catchment areas of South Walney Junior School, Vickerstown School, North Walney Junior School, Barrow Island Community Primary School and St Columba's Primary School. Children living in the catchment area of other Barrow primary schools, provided that Walney School is their nearest secondary school.*, and 2 further criteria. The school offers 68 places at this entry point. Tie-break: If the school reaches its planned admission limit within any of these criteria then, for those in that criteria, priority will be given to those who live nearest to the school, that distance being measured in a straight line on a map from the front entrance of the school to the front door of the house.

What is the largest ethnic background at Walney Academy?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 96.4% of pupils at Walney Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Walney Academy: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

School AtlasWestmorland and Furness

Westmorland and Furness

School AtlasWestmorland and Furness

Westmorland and Furness

How close did you need to live?

Distance did not decide places here

Every applicant who applied on time was offered a place for 2026-27 (Year 7), so there was no cut-off distance. This changes from year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

How places are decided at Walney Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2025-26 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — Looked after children, previously looked after children and children who were previously looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order).
2Siblings — Children whose sibling attends Walney School at the time of the admission (this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address).
3Catchment area — Children living in the catchment areas of South Walney Junior School, Vickerstown School, North Walney Junior School, Barrow Island Community Primary School and St Columba's Primary School. Children living in the catchment area of other Barrow primary schools, provided that Walney School is their nearest secondary school.*
4Children of current employees — Children of current employees of Walney School (in the following circumstances: a) where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, and b) the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage).
5Other children — Other children.

If two applications tie: If the school reaches its planned admission limit within any of these criteria then, for those in that criteria, priority will be given to those who live nearest to the school, that distance being measured in a straight line on a map from the front entrance of the school to the front door of the house.

EHCP/SEN statement: a child will be admitted where the LA's arrangements name Walney School in a statement of SEN or EHCP; also where a child is being assessed with physical/medical difficulties, subject to a maximum limit of 8 at any one time (and a limit of 2 in any one year group).

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

Walney Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Walney Academy's quality of education to be?: Ofsted judged Walney Academy's quality of education as Requires improvement at its inspection in May 2025, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Walney Academy?: Walney Academy has 468 pupils on roll.
What ages does Walney Academy take?: Walney Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is Walney Academy located?: Walney Academy is located in Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3JT, Westmorland and Furness.
How do I apply to Walney Academy?: Walney Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How close do you need to live to get into Walney Academy?: Distance did not decide places at Walney Academy for 2026-27 (Year 7): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.
How are Year 7 places decided at Walney Academy?: When Walney Academy has more applications than places for 2025-26, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — Looked after children, previously looked after children and children who were previously looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order); 2. Siblings — Children whose sibling attends Walney School at the time of the admission (this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address); 3. Catchment area — Children living in the catchment areas of South Walney Junior School, Vickerstown School, North Walney Junior School, Barrow Island Community Primary School and St Columba's Primary School. Children living in the catchment area of other Barrow primary schools, provided that Walney School is their nearest secondary school.*, and 2 further criteria. The school offers 68 places at this entry point. Tie-break: If the school reaches its planned admission limit within any of these criteria then, for those in that criteria, priority will be given to those who live nearest to the school, that distance being measured in a straight line on a map from the front entrance of the school to the front door of the house.
What is the largest ethnic background at Walney Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 96.4% of pupils at Walney Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

League tables in Westmorland and Furness Compare Westmorland and Furness schools Best secondary schools in Westmorland and Furness Westmorland and Furness hub All Westmorland and Furness schools Schools on map Admissions checker Choosing sixth form guide Catchment areas guide What to ask on a visit

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Children attending these settings are given priority in this school's admissions.

Barrow Island Community Primary School

Primary

Good

South Walney Junior School

Primary

Expected standard

Vickerstown School

Primary

Urgent improvement

St Columba's School

Primary

Good

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

Distance did not decide places here

Every applicant who applied on time was offered a place for 2026-27 (Year 7), so there was no cut-off distance. This changes from year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

How places are decided at Walney Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2025-26 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — Looked after children, previously looked after children and children who were previously looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order).
2Siblings — Children whose sibling attends Walney School at the time of the admission (this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address).
3Catchment area — Children living in the catchment areas of South Walney Junior School, Vickerstown School, North Walney Junior School, Barrow Island Community Primary School and St Columba's Primary School. Children living in the catchment area of other Barrow primary schools, provided that Walney School is their nearest secondary school.*
4Children of current employees — Children of current employees of Walney School (in the following circumstances: a) where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, and b) the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage).
5Other children — Other children.

Walney Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Walney Academy's quality of education to be?: Ofsted judged Walney Academy's quality of education as Requires improvement at its inspection in May 2025, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Walney Academy?: Walney Academy has 468 pupils on roll.
What ages does Walney Academy take?: Walney Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is Walney Academy located?: Walney Academy is located in Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3JT, Westmorland and Furness.
How do I apply to Walney Academy?: Walney Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How close do you need to live to get into Walney Academy?: Distance did not decide places at Walney Academy for 2026-27 (Year 7): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.
How are Year 7 places decided at Walney Academy?: When Walney Academy has more applications than places for 2025-26, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — Looked after children, previously looked after children and children who were previously looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order); 2. Siblings — Children whose sibling attends Walney School at the time of the admission (this includes step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address); 3. Catchment area — Children living in the catchment areas of South Walney Junior School, Vickerstown School, North Walney Junior School, Barrow Island Community Primary School and St Columba's Primary School. Children living in the catchment area of other Barrow primary schools, provided that Walney School is their nearest secondary school.*, and 2 further criteria. The school offers 68 places at this entry point. Tie-break: If the school reaches its planned admission limit within any of these criteria then, for those in that criteria, priority will be given to those who live nearest to the school, that distance being measured in a straight line on a map from the front entrance of the school to the front door of the house.
What is the largest ethnic background at Walney Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 96.4% of pupils at Walney Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Children attending these settings are given priority in this school's admissions.

Barrow Island Community Primary School

Primary

Good

South Walney Junior School

Primary

Expected standard

Vickerstown School

Primary

Urgent improvement

St Columba's School

Primary

Good

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Walney Academy

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Walney Academy

Walney Academy: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Walney Academy

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Walney Academy

Walney Academy: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Nearby schools within 5 km