Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Places Available emoji_events #12 in Cumberland public Top 34% UK

West Lakes Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMrs Abby Deeks

corporate_fareCHANGING LIVES LEARNING TRUST

location_onEgremont, CA22 2DQ

language Visit Website phone 1946820356

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2025

groups

Students

1,212

trending_up

Attainment 8

40.8

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#12 in Cumberland

#2,439 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

West Lakes Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Egremont, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

article

School Summary

West Lakes Academy is an academy sponsor led in Egremont, Cumberland, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of CHANGING LIVES LEARNING TRUST. The school has approximately 1,124 pupils on roll, of whom 28% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 40.8, placing the school #12 in Cumberland and #2,439 of 3,216 nationally. 32.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 13.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 14 A-level subjects. 27.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 7.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.35 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2025. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Inadequate, behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement, personal development Requires improvement, and leadership and management Inadequate.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 14.4 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

40.8

Grade 5+ E&M

32.00%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)13.8%

Entering EBacc24.90%

EBacc APS3.51

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.42

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45.20%

EBacc APS3.77

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.37

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS3.94

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc53%

EBacc APS4.6

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.26

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc60%

EBacc APS4.46

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.5

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc51%

EBacc APS4.45

explore

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)74%

Apprenticeships14%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)77%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships8%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

workspace_premium

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.35

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.8%

Achieving A*–A7.8%

Achieving A*–B27.0%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate87.5%

A-level subjects offered14

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.14

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate96.90%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate96.60%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate98.6%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

17 June 2025

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

25 April 2023

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

14 March 2017

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

19 November 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

19 February 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

06 July 2011

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

19 May 2010

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

30 September 2009

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2025-06-17

S5 Inspection EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Inadequate

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Requires improvement

Leadership

Inadequate

2017-03-14

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2013-02-19

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

11.8%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

7.0%(79 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,124 pupils. During this period, there were 133 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 11.8%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,124	133	11.8%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,125	191	17.0%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,140	107	9.4%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,148	104	9.1%	7.1%	4
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,152	134	11.6%	8.2%	3
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,212	96	7.9%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,212	80	6.6%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,212	80	6.6%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,214	103	8.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,218	128	10.5%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,220	69	5.7%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,190	56	4.7%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,199	17	1.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,201	44	3.7%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,232	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,232	28	2.3%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,237	48	3.9%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,236	57	4.6%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,237	60	4.9%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,242	39	3.1%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,195	50	4.2%	3.4%	6
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,198	38	3.2%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,201	37	3.1%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,154	40	3.5%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,159	46	4.0%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,165	25	2.1%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 70 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 66 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 33 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 22 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 15 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

26.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

33.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

13.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree7%

agree20%

disagree20%

strongly disagree47%

don't know7%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree7%

agree27%

disagree20%

strongly disagree40%

don't know7%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree20%

agree20%

strongly disagree60%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree20%

agree20%

disagree13%

strongly disagree47%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree20%

agree13%

disagree13%

strongly disagree47%

don't know7%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree13%

agree40%

disagree20%

strongly disagree27%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree20%

agree33%

disagree20%

strongly disagree27%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree13%

agree47%

disagree13%

strongly disagree20%

don't know7%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree20%

agree20%

disagree13%

strongly disagree47%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes27%

no73%

Top Secondary Schools in Cumberland

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Keswick School

Outstanding

location_on Keswick, CA12 5QB

emoji_events #1 in LA

Cockermouth School

Good

location_on Cockermouth, CA13 9HF

emoji_events #2 in LA

The Nelson Thomlinson School

Good

location_on Wigton, CA7 9PX

emoji_events #3 in LA

William Howard School

Good

location_on Brampton, CA8 1AR

emoji_events #4 in LA

Caldew School

Good

location_on Carlisle, CA5 7NN

emoji_events #5 in LA

Millom School

Good

location_on Millom, LA18 5AB

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Cumberland arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Cumberland

Keswick School

Cockermouth School

The Nelson Thomlinson School

William Howard School

Caldew School

Millom School