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.
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
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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.
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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.
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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
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Am proud of you as a teacher 🌹
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
PI DAY AT WLA
On March the 14th (3.14), we had a blast celebrating Pi Day 2025!
From skyline bar charts to investigations in circles, students across KS3–4 got stuck into all things circular and creative.
Highlights included:
• Yr 7: Designed stunning skylines using Pi’s digits (just look at the masterpieces below and a happy smile!)
• Yr 8: Measured and investigated circles, making sense of Pi
• Yr 9: Created vibrant Pi art using 10 colours and some beautiful pattern work
• KS4: Took on crop circles, coordinates, and solved some complex questions with circle theorems
Huge thanks to all the staff and students who made Pi Day count!
#changinglivesthroughlearning
#WeAreWLA
#proudofourlearners
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ℹ️ NEWSLETTER ℹ️
Please click on the link below to view this week's edition of our Newsletter.
wla.education/wla-newsletter-28-03-2025/
#changinglivesthroughlearning
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ARTISTS OF THE WEEK ✨
⭐️Abigail Hill
⭐️Aiden Macloed
⭐️Jessica Unsworth
⭐️Joe Higgins
⭐️Lolly Sloan
⭐️Mary Wilson
⭐️Chloe McCourt
⭐️Mia Turner
⭐️Pearl Morton Connor
#changinglivesthroughlearning
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Well done Mary 😘 ⭐️
Laura Nicholls
STUDENT SUCCESS 🌟🏆
Oliver Roberts, Year 10, was awarded a trophy on Thursday evening for Best Under 18's.
Oliver plays for Whitehaven Marras N Arras, at Moor Row Working Men's Club.
Pictured alongside him is Simon McCall from Gap Plant and Tool Hire, Simon was awarded a trophy for winning the 8-week ranking series.
#SchoolPride #risingstar #WeAreWLA #proudofourlearners #beyourbestself
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Well done 👏
Well done Oliver 👏
Well done Oliver 👏🏻
Well done Ollie, your smashing it! 😘👍🏻
Well done Oliver lad 🎯
Well done Oliver! Xx
Well done young en and oliver
Well done!
Oliver Roberts project Luke littler 🎯
Leanne Roberts
Applications now open for September 2025. Check out our new course guide and complete an application form by 28th March 2025.
