Walney Academy
Academy sponsor led secondary school in Barrow-in-Furness (Westmorland and Furness).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
It is my great privilege to welcome you to Walney School. As Headteacher, I am proud to lead a school that is committed not just to academic excellence, but to fostering a genuine sense of belonging for every single child and every member of our community. I want every member of our school to thrive.
Our vision is clear and heartfelt: every child should feel safe, supported, and included. We know that when young people feel they belong, they can achieve beyond expectations. That's why we focus not only on lessons and results, but also on relationships, character, and community.
With the support of the Furness Education Trust , we are in a period of exciting transformation, with major building works, new facilities, and a strengthened teaching team. This is more than a new chapter for Walney School — it's a fresh start built on care, ambition, and opportunity. Walney School is part of Furness Education Trust, an exempt charity.
Registered Office- Furness Academy, Park Drive, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA13 9BB Address Sandy Gap Ln, Walney Barrow-in-Furness LA14 3JT
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
16 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Furness Education Trust
- The Senior Leadership Team
- Special Educational Needs
- Governance
- Careers
- Walney Ways
- Student Conduct
- Extra Curricular Opportunities
- Questioning
- Mathematical Thinking
- Literacy
- Retrieval Practice
- Facilities for Hire
- Student Leadership
- Goverance
- Metacognition
Awards
1 awardiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Anti-Bullying CharterRecognised award
Key facts
- URN
- 141041
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Nursery
- No Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- Westmorland and Furness
- Constituency
- Barrow and Furness
- Setting
- Urban: Further from a major town or city
- Opened
- 2014
Governing body (9 current, 5 former)
iAcademy trust: local governing body and trust board.Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mollie Litherland | Chair of Local Governing Body | Appointed by foundation/Trust | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Darren Brackwell Former | Chair of Local Governing Body | Appointed by GB/board | since 2020 · term ended 2026 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Wildman | Local Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2026 |
| Caroline Hindmarch | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Mollie Litherland | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Callum Ryan | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Jennifer Dickinson | Local Governor | Elected by parents | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Michelle Hughes | Local Governor | Elected by parents | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Cora Hambleton | Local Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Ian Crawshaw | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Martin Brogden Former | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · term ended 2026 |
| Allison Redshaw Former | Local Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2025 · term ended 2026 |
| Mohammed Ali Former | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · term ended 2026 |
| Kristie Lourie Former | Local Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record