Workington Academy
| Workington Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
 | |
Stainburn Road , , CA14 4EB England 54°38′30″N 3°31′58″W / 54.6417°N 3.5328°W | |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy |
| Established | 2015 |
Local authority | Cumberland Council |
| Trust | Cumbria Education Trust |
| 141499 Tables | |
| Ofsted | Reports |
Head of School | Barry Simpson |
Executive Headteacher | Mark Bedford |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 1276[a] |
| Houses | Bessemer, Curwen, Risman, Thompson |
| Website | Workington 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
[edit]Establishment
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit] | |
| Established | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Type | Sixth Form |
Head | B Simpson |
| Website | West Coast Sixth Form website |
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
[edit]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]
In 2026, the station's podcast Behind the Algorithm was highly commended in The Peter Day Award for Best Podcast at the Shine School Media Awards, while teacher Mr A Williamson won the Most Inspirational Teacher award.[13][14]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Group | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Young ARIAS[15] | Best in Sport | Nominated |
| Best in Comedy/Drama | Nominated | ||
| Secondary Radio Station of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Young Audio Awards[16] | Secondary Radio Station of the Year | Nominated |
| 2023 | Young Audio Awards[17] | Secondary Radio Station of the Year | Nominated |
| 2026 | Shine School Media Awards[13] | The Peter Day Award for Best Podcast | Highly commended |
| Most Inspirational Teacher | Won |
Public criticism
[edit]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.[18]
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.[19]
Headteachers
[edit]Since its establishment in 2015, Workington Academy has been led by the following headteachers and heads of school:
| Name | Role | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Mr J Logan | Headteacher | 2015 – 2016[20] |
| Mrs C Macklin | Interim Headteacher | 2016 – 2017[21] |
| Mrs R O'Hagan | Interim Heads of School (Deputy Headteachers) |
2017 – 2018[22] |
| Mr M Bedford | ||
| Mr D Bird | Headteacher | 2018 – 2022[23] |
| Executive Headteacher | 2022 – 2023[24] | |
| Mr M Bedford | Head of School | 2022 – 2023[24] |
| Headteacher | 2023 – 2026[25] | |
| Executive Headteacher | 2026 – present[26] | |
| Mr B Simpson | Head of School | 2026 – present[26] |
Notes and references
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Workington Academy - GOV.UK". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Workington Academy given go ahead". BBC News. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "Lorrayne Hughes made executive head teacher at Workington schools". BBC News. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Stainburn and Southfield schools new academy sponsor found". BBC News. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "The CET Story". Cumbria Education Trust. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "Workington school building hit by vandals". Times and Star. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "New Workington Academy building opens its doors". Times and Star. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester Officially Opens Workington Academy". Workington Academy. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "New sixth form opens ahead of target". Cumbria Education Trust. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- 1 2 "New sixth form launches for students in West Cumbria". West Coast Sixth Form. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "Workington Academy Radio". Workington Academy. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "Greg James speaks to Workington Academy Radio". Times and Star. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Shine 2026 – the winners". Shine School Media Awards. 29 June 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Listen: Success for Workington Academy students' podcast". Cumbria Crack. 1 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "West Cumbrian school is shortlisted for three national radio awards". Times and Star. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "Virtual Young Audio Awards to be streamed live". RadioToday. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "Winners of Young Audio Awards 2023 have been announced". RadioToday. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Workington Academy appoints Jonathan Logan as head". BBC News. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ↑ "Interim head brought into Workington Academy". Times and Star. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ↑ "Headteacher Interim Arrangements". Workington Academy. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ↑ "Carlisle headteacher to take over at Workington Academy". News and Star. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Workington Academy head new role in Cumbria Education Trust". Times and Star. No. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ↑ "Workington Academy announce new headteacher and deputy headteacher". Times and Star. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Our Staff". Workington Academy. Retrieved 7 July 2026.