West Lakes Academy is a vibrant 11-18 secondary school nestled in the western edge of the picturesque Lake District of Cumbria, serving a dynamic community of 1,200 students. Since opening in September 2008 and moving into our state-of-the-art £26m building in 2012, we have been committed to delivering the highest quality education in an environment that inspires success.
Our vision is to succeed in ‘Changing Lives through Learning’ by providing the very best possible educational opportunities for young people in West Cumbria. We have extremely high hopes for all of our students and our highly skilled and enthusiastic members of staff encourage children to have high ambitions and to work hard to achieve these.
Mr Peter Croft & Mr Jimmy Christian Co-Headteachers
West Lakes Academy is committed to the creation of a fully inclusive, aspirational, high achieving Centre of Excellence, firmly rooted in the local community. Our vision is to succeed in ‘Changing Lives through Learning’ by providing the very best possible educational opportunities for young people in West Cumbria.
Changing Lives Learning Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust with Sponsor Status and is a not for profit charity which sponsors primary and secondary academies.
Leading Change: Tackling Food Waste in Our School! 🌱🍽️
📢 Exciting news from our school community! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Leading Change Project, aimed at reducing food waste and promoting sustainability within our canteen and school!
At West lakes Academy we believe that every small action can make a big difference. Join us on this journey as we educate our students about the impacts of food waste and encourage conscious uses of waste in our school. Together, we can create a healthier planet for future generations! 🌍💚
What's involved?
• Educational Workshops: Students will learn about the environmental impact of food waste and how to make smarter food choices
• Creative Initiatives: Classes will come together to brainstorm innovative ways to reduce waste—from fun challenges to inventive uses for food waste!
• Community Engagement: We'll be collaborating with local businesses and food sustainability experts to inspire our students and families
Let's take pride in being part of this transformative project! 🙌
📸 Stay tuned for updates, videos, and guest blogs from our students sharing their experiences and for new initiatives that will be getting under way in school.
👏 Get involved and show your support by commenting below. Together, we can lead the charge for change!
#foodwastewarriors #SustainabilityInSchools #ecofriendly #leadingchange #GreenFuture #wastenotwantnot
1 CommentComment on Facebook
This is brilliant! Happy to be involved in any way - last year I attended “Guardians of Grub” training for hospitality sector re:food and plate waste. Recently finished MSc in Food Policy which included workshops from WRAP. Would love to be kept in the loop. (Am parent governor at WLA too).
CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS!
Tom (Year 11) and Alex (ex-WLA student) have won the University Entrepreneurs Grant at the Educate North Awards 2025!
We are so proud of their success!
#SchoolPride #RisingStars #WeAreWLA #proudofourlearners #beyourbest
16 CommentsComment on Facebook
Well done to you both
Amazing well done 👏👏
Very well done to you both 👏👏
Very proud of you both 💫
Well done 👏
Well done boys!
Amazing well done Tom & Alex 💪xx
Well done lads!! X
Fantastic Achievement 🙌
Well done
👏🏻 well done 👏🏻
Congratulations guys! What an achievement 🙌🌟
Congratulations 👏👏👏
Amazing well done !!!!
🤩🤩🤩
CELEBRATING OUR VALUES!
Congratulations to all our Spring Term Rewards Golden Ticket winners.
Special congratulations to the big-ticket winners:
Orla Y11 - AirPods
Josh Y11- JD voucher
Alisha Y10- Alton Towers voucher
Also, huge congratulations to our many runners up who have all received a chocolate egg.
#changinglivesthroughlearning
#WeAreWLA
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
MATHS MARVEL ✨
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Diane Messenger is this your Harry ? X
Lyndsey Long Marc Long
ℹ️ NEWSLETTER ℹ️
Please click on the link below to view this week's edition of our Newsletter.
wla.education/wla-newsletter-04-04-2025/
#changinglivesthroughlearning
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CRAZY HAIR DAY!
On Wednesday Sixth Form organised a Crazy Hair Day to raise funds for Year 13 Ball. Staff and Sixth Form Students were encouraged to come into school sporting the most eye catching styles and colours and they did not disappoint! Thank you to all who took part.
#WeAreWLA
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great to see you all having some fun!
Fantastic 😊 x
SUPPORT OVER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS
With the Easter Holidays approaching may we remind you of the support that is there for both students and parents over the holidays.
KOOTH
Kooth offers free access to online text-based practitioner chats, self-help tools and activities, journal spaces and advice from our non-judgemental, safe and moderated peer:peer communities.
The registration process is quick, anonymous and safe, simply by registering at www.kooth.com
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YEAR 10/12 MOCK EXAM TIMETABLES
Individual timetables for the upcoming Year 10 and Year 12 mock exams are available to both students and parents/carers under the Exam Section of EduLink; these timetables confirm students’ exam numbers and the date, venue and allocated seat number for students for each of their exams. A copy of the school’s ‘Student Exam Information Booklet’ for written timetabled exams has been sent out to all students via InTouch, and is also available to both students and parents/carers via the School Website and on the EduLink Noticeboard.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Gemma Dunn Lily-Mae Dunn Chelsey-Peter Tyson Lucy Dunn Stb Akiens
UPDATES FOR YEAR 10, 11, 12 & 13
Updates are now available on staff, pupil and parent Edulink accounts.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
STUDENT SUCCESS
Madih Speaks at TEDx Event on Economics and Extremism.
Madih in Year 12 was offered the opportunity to speak at a TEDx event in Chester, where he challenged the audience to rethink how economic policies shape our world. His talk, “The Limitations of Ceteris Paribus: How Bad Economics Leads to Extremism,” explored how flawed economic models, built on unrealistic assumptions, can create instability, inequality, and even radicalisation.
By questioning the idea that economies function in a vacuum, Madih highlighted the real-world consequences of policies that ignore human behaviour and societal change. His insights left the audience eager to explore the intersection of economics, policy, and justice.
Madih’s talk was a testament to the power of critical thinking and its role in shaping a fairer world—an inspiring moment for all who attended and he was rewarded with a standing ovation.
Well done, Madih! We are so incredibly proud of you 👏
#changinglivesthroughlearning
#WeAreWLA
#proudofourlearners
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Am proud of you as a teacher 🌹
Amazing, Madih! Well done 🙌🌟
Proud moment for us as parents . 👏🏻👏🏻
Well done Madih 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Wow....amazing! Well done 👍
May ALLAH bless you my nephew keep going keep growing lots of love
Applications now open for September 2025. Check out our new course guide and complete an application form by 28th March 2025.
