Victoria Academy

About Victoria Academy

Victoria Academy, a junior school for pupils aged 7 to 11 in Westmorland and Furness, received an Outstanding rating in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024. This marks a clear step up from its previous Good rating in 2014, with inspectors awarding top marks across every category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The school’s academic strength is most clearly seen in its Key Stage 2 results for the 2023/24 year. A strong 73% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the local authority average of 58%. This places Victoria Academy in the top 25% of primary schools nationally for this key metric, and 20th out of 99 schools in the Westmorland and Furness local authority area. With 201 pupils on roll against a capacity of 220, the school is not yet oversubscribed, suggesting it is a well-regarded but accessible option for local families.

Digging deeper into the exam data, the school’s performance is consistently strong across individual subjects. In reading, 82% of pupils reached the expected standard, with 27% achieving a higher score; the average reading score was 107. Maths saw 84% at the expected level and 20% at the higher level, with an average score of 105. Writing was similarly solid, with 84% meeting the expected standard and 11% reaching the higher mark. The proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard across all three subjects was 2%, which is a selective figure but reflects the school’s focus on securing strong foundations for the majority. Compared with the local authority average of 58% for the combined expected standard, Victoria Academy’s 73% represents a significant 15 percentage point advantage. The school ranks 21st out of 121 primary schools of the same type in the LA, and is one of only six Outstanding-rated primary schools in the area, making it a standout choice for academic rigour.

Beyond the classroom, Victoria Academy offers a broad range of facilities including a gymnasium, sports hall, playing fields, a library, music rooms, an ICT suite, and a forest school. Pupils can take part in sports such as athletics, football, netball, swimming and gymnastics, and there are clubs including book club, coding and choir. The school’s SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs, indicating a supportive environment for a range of learners. With 13.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a mixed catchment. For families seeking a high-performing, state-funded junior school with strong pastoral and extracurricular offerings in the Westmorland and Furness area, Victoria Academy is a compelling option, especially given its Outstanding Ofsted rating and academic results that comfortably exceed local averages.

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