SchoolScoresThe Whitehaven Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CUMBRIA EDUCATION TRUST
Cleator Moor Road, Whitehaven, CA28 8TY
01946 595400 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 23 May 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
126 pupils in this year group.
33% — 4 points below the Cumberland average, and 13 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 33% | 37% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 39.7 | 42.3 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
76 pupils in this year group.
87% — 4 points below the Cumberland average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 26% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 53% | 36% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 12% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 87% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
8 students in this year group.
Only 8 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
100% — 17 points above the Cumberland average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 100% | 83% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 63% | 19% | 7% |
| Work | 25% | 26% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 100% | 100% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
6 students in this year group.
Only 6 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
50% — 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 50% | – | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 0% | – | 19% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Cumberland. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 170 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 180 |
| Of those, offered a place | 169 (94%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 356 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.1
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 32.2% | 25.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 16th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 72% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8% | 14.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 18th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 0% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.4% | 5.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 10th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Lower than 44% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.7% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Lower than 49% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.7% | 23.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Lower than 23% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 30.6 | 17.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Lower than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6% | 6.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.49% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 86% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 5th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 19th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Cumberland. Higher than 1% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 2.5% | 14.9%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- St Benedict's Catholic High School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2025 · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Whitehaven Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Whitehaven Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 23 May 2023.
How did The Whitehaven Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 33% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Whitehaven Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 180 families put The Whitehaven Academy as their first choice for 170 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 169 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 146634.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.