Furness Academy vs St Mary's Catholic Academy
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in North West, England, 35 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Furness Academy
Barrow-in-Furness · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
1,187 students
St Mary's Catholic Academy
Blackpool · Academy secondary · Ages 11–18
1,188 students
| Measure | Furness Academy Barrow-in-Furness, North West | St Mary's Catholic Academy Blackpool, North West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 39 Lower 50% | 31 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #297 of 536 | #344 of 536 |
| National rank | #2492 of 4,090 | #2894 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 11–18 |
| Students | 1,187 | 1,188 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,187 | 1,188 |
| Free school meals | 29.4% | 35.2% |
| Capacity filled | 98.9% | 99.1% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 42.4 | 41.5 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 35.6% | 28.8% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 57.8% | 54.8% |
| EBacc average points | 3.53 | 3.37 |
| A level points per entry | – | 31.2 |
| town | Barrow-in-Furness | Blackpool |
| region | North West | North West |
| Website | www.furnessacademy.co.uk/ | www.st-mary.blackpool.sch.uk |
The verdict
- •Furness Academy scores higher on the Success Index (England) (39.2 vs 31.3).
- •St Mary's Catholic Academy is the larger school with 1,188 students compared with 1,187.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Furness Academy better than St Mary's Catholic Academy?
On the Success Index (England), Furness Academy ranks higher (39.2 vs 31.3 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Furness Academy and St Mary's Catholic Academy?
About 35 km in a straight line, between Barrow-in-Furness and Blackpool in North West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Furness Academy: 1,187. St Mary's Catholic Academy: 1,188. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Furness Academy and St Mary's Catholic Academy rank in North West?
Furness Academy is 297th of 536 and St Mary's Catholic Academy is 344th of 536 among secondary schools in North West on the 2025 Success Index (England).