Workington Academy

Workington Academy
150x150
Location
Stainburn Road

Workington
,
Cumbria
,
CA14 4EB

England
Coordinates54°38′30″N 3°31′58″W / 54.6417°N 3.5328°W / 54.6417; -3.5328
Information
TypeAcademy
Established2015
Local authorityCumberland Council
TrustCumbria Education Trust
Department for Education URN141499 Tables
OfstedReports
HeadteacherMr M Bedford
GenderMixed
Age11 to 18
Number of pupils1276[a]
HousesBessemer, Curwen, Risman, Thompson
WebsiteWorkington Academy website

Workington Academy is a mixed secondary school located in Workington, Cumbria. It was established in September 2015 following the merger of Southfield Technology College and Stainburn School and Science College.[2]

History

Establishment

In 2014, both Southfield Technology College and Stainburn School and Science College were placed into special measures by Ofsted after receiving inadequate inspection reports. As a result, it was decided that the two schools would close and merge to form a new academy.[2]

To support the transition, an executive headteacher, Lorrayne Hughes, was appointed.[3] It was also announced that William Howard School in Brampton would act as the sponsor for the new academy.[4] This led to the formation of the William Howard Trust, a multi-academy trust, in September 2015, which was later renamed Cumbria Education Trust.[5]

Both schools officially closed in August 2015,[4] and Workington Academy opened the following month.

New Building

Workington Academy was initially located in the building of the former Stainburn School and Science College.[6] In 2015, plans for a new £20 million building were approved by Cumbria County Council,[2] with construction taking place at the rear of the existing site.

The new building was completed in early 2017, and the academy officially relocated in March 2017.[7] The new building was officially opened by The Duchess of Gloucester in a ceremony held in September 2017.[8]

West Coast Sixth Form

West Coast Sixth Form
Established2020
TypeSixth Form
Head
Mr B Simpson
WebsiteWest Coast Sixth Form website
WCSF campus map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
5km
3.1miles
Workington Academy
Whitehaven Academy

In September 2020, Workington Academy launched the West Coast Sixth Form in partnership with The Whitehaven Academy.[9] The initiative was designed to expand post-16 education opportunities across West Cumbria, offering a broad range of academic and vocational courses.

The sixth form provides qualifications equivalent to one, two, or three A Levels, including Extended Certificates, National Diplomas, and Extended Diplomas. Courses offered include Business, Health and Social Care, Performing Arts, Applied Science, Sports Science, and Information Technology.[10]

Students benefit from a combination of classroom-based learning and practical experience, with many vocational courses including a weekly workplace placement. Free transport is provided between the Workington and Whitehaven campuses to support accessibility.[10]

Workington Academy Radio

Workington Academy Radio is the student-run radio station of Workington Academy.[11]

In 2020, students from the station conducted an interview with BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James.[12]

Awards and nominations

Year Group Award Result
2019 The Young ARIAS[13] Best in Sport Nominated
Best in Comedy/Drama Nominated
Secondary Radio Station of the Year Nominated
2020 Young Audio Awards[14] Secondary Radio Station of the Year Nominated
2023 Young Audio Awards[15] Secondary Radio Station of the Year Nominated

Public criticism

In July 2017, Workington Academy faced criticism on social media, where parents and pupils raised concerns about the quality of teaching. Comments posted on a local Facebook page, "Workington Rants - News And Views", alleged an overreliance on supply teachers and a lack of classroom discipline, including claims that students were using mobile phones during lessons.[16]

The interim headteacher at the time, Colette Macklin, responded to the criticism in an interview with the News and Star, defending the school and addressing the concerns raised.[17]

Headteachers

Since its establishment in 2015, Workington Academy has been led by the following headteachers:

Headteacher Role Period
Mr J Logan Headteacher 2015 – 2016[18]
Mrs C Macklin Interim Headteacher 2016 – 2017[19]
Mrs R O'Hagan Interim Heads of School
(Deputy Headteachers) 		2017 – 2018[20]
Mr M Bedford
Mr D Bird Headteacher 2018 – 2022[21]
Executive Headteacher 2022 – 2023[22]
Mr M Bedford Head of School 2022 – 2023[22]
Headteacher 2023 – present[23]

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ^ As of 15 November 2024.[1]

References

  1. ^ "Workington Academy - GOV.UK". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Workington Academy given go ahead". BBC News. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Lorrayne Hughes made executive head teacher at Workington schools". BBC News. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Stainburn and Southfield schools new academy sponsor found". BBC News. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  5. ^ "The CET Story". Cumbria Education Trust. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Workington school building hit by vandals". Times and Star. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  7. ^ "New Workington Academy building opens its doors". Times and Star. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester Officially Opens Workington Academy". Workington Academy. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  9. ^ "New sixth form opens ahead of target". Cumbria Education Trust. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  10. ^ a b "New sixth form launches for students in West Cumbria". West Coast Sixth Form. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Workington Academy Radio". Workington Academy. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Greg James speaks to Workington Academy Radio". Times and Star. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  13. ^ "West Cumbrian school is shortlisted for three national radio awards". Times and Star. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  14. ^ "Virtual Young Audio Awards to be streamed live". RadioToday. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  15. ^ "Winners of Young Audio Awards 2023 have been announced". RadioToday. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  16. ^ "School hit by staff shortages denies supply teachers 'told children to play on their phones' during lessons". The Mirror. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Cumbrian headteacher hits back after claims children told to "play on phones" because of teacher shortage". News and Star. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Workington Academy appoints Jonathan Logan as head". BBC News. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  19. ^ "Interim head brought into Workington Academy". Times and Star. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Headteacher Interim Arrangements". Workington Academy. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  21. ^ "Carlisle headteacher to take over at Workington Academy". News and Star. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Workington Academy head new role in Cumbria Education Trust". Times and Star. No. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  23. ^ "Workington Academy announce new headteacher and deputy headteacher". Times and Star. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
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