Walney School Announces Transformation into Walney Academy
A New Chapter for Walney School
Walney School has announced a series of significant changes, confirming that from September 2026 it will proudly become Walney Academy. The transformation follows a year of extensive consultation with students, parents and carers, ensuring that the voices of the school community have been central in shaping the future direction of the school.
Throughout the academic year, Walney School has worked closely with its community, gathering feedback through surveys and open discussions. This collaborative approach has helped shape a clear and ambitious vision for the next stage of the school’s journey, one focused on pride, opportunity and investment in both people and facilities.
A New Look
The launch of Walney Academy will be marked by a refreshed identity, including the introduction of a new school uniform and logo. From September 2026, students will move from the current grey and green uniform to a navy uniform, featuring a blue logo.
This fresh identity marks an exciting new era for Walney School and reflects the school’s ambitions for the future. School leaders are confident that the updated look will reinforce a shared sense of identity, confidence and belonging among students and the wider community.
Headteacher, Allison Redshaw added:
“We are incredibly proud to be introducing these exciting new changes at Walney School. By listening closely to our students and families, we are shaping a school community that young people feel proud to belong to.”
A New Environment
Alongside the new name and uniform, Walney School will see significant improvements and the investment of nearly £3 million over the summer period. Planned improvements include refreshed IT facilities, upgraded classrooms and enhanced specialist learning spaces, creating modern, high-quality environments that support teaching, learning and collaboration.
A key focus of this development will be the introduction of a UTC Sleeve, within the existing building. The ‘UTC Sleeve’ pathway represents a fresh approach to education in Barrow and is based on the model used by England’s 44 University Technical Colleges, where students are three times more likely to progress to apprenticeships than mainstream school pupils.
Students at the UTC Sleeve will be able to follow two employer-led pathways, in engineering and healthcare, that blend traditional academic learning with practical technical education.
With specialist equipment, strong employer and university partnerships, and a rich programme focused on preparing pupils for working life, the UTC Sleeve will serve as a hub for opportunity across the community.
These changes come just one year after Walney School joined Furness Education Trust.
Simon Laheney, Chief Executive Officer of Furness Education Trust commented:
“This initiative represents a major step forward for technical education in Barrow and directly supports the ambitions we all share for our young people and our wider community. The UTC Sleeve will not only benefit Walney School but will also serve as a valuable resource for schools and partners across the area, strengthening opportunities and raising aspirations for the whole community.”
Looking Ahead
The transition to Walney Academy, and ongoing investment in facilities mark a significant milestone in the school’s improvement journey. Reflecting the school’s commitment to raising expectations and creating meaningful opportunities for every learner in the community.
Commenting further on the developments, Mrs Redshaw said:
“This next chapter is about raising aspirations, strengthening our sense of identity, and creating future opportunities for all our students. Our focus remains on providing an education that supports every young person to succeed, both in school and in their lives beyond it.”
