Key Staff

Mark Bedford - Head of the West Coast Sixth Form

I’m delighted the West Coast Sixth Form offers students further opportunities to learn, develop skills and launch their careers.

Workington Academy’s sixth form was praised by Ofsted in its 2018 inspection for our strong vision, individualised study programmes and comprehensive focus on personal development. We wanted to extend that opportunity to the whole of the West Coast and continue to develop our range of course options to meet changing demands.

To add to our academic A Levels and vocational qualifications we have a new range of courses in Applied Business, Health and Social Care, Performing Arts, Applied Science, Sports Science and IT.

We were thrilled with the interest and take up for our first year. It’s particularly pleasing that students who previously studied at the academy in Whitehaven decided that staying with a trust and teachers they know was the right option for them.

We’ll be arranging an open evening in January 2022 – it may have to be virtual, we’ll have to wait and see what the restrictions are at the time. But if you’ve got questions now, then there’s no need to wait. You’ll find contact details elsewhere on this website.

We’re very excited about all the options now available for students and thank you for your interest in continuing your education with the West Coast Sixth Form.

Marie McMurdo - Head of WCSF TWA campus

It is wonderful to be able to offer students such a wealth of opportunities not only within their learning, through the wide range of courses on offer, but also as part of the strong enrichment programme across both campuses.

We aim to provide a range of experiences to students, to allow them to gain a broader understanding of the wider world.

WCSF provides student with the right level of guidance and support to ensure they reach their full potential. There is an established pastoral structure that focuses on student well-being, progress and development throughout the two years.

Andrea McAllister - Head of WCSF WA campus

Each year we welcome students from a wide range of schools into our sixth form. Those who’ve studied at the two academies already will be well aware of our mantra ‘be the best you can be’, we instil this into our students in sixth form, encouraging each and every one to aim high.

All our students are required to actively demonstrate Respect, Responsibility and Resilience; the three core values that lie at the heart of all our learning. As a result students make strong, long-lasting friendships and achieve strong outcomes.

We are very proud of what our young people achieve and what they go on to do next. More than 98% of students move on to higher education, training or employment. We attribute this to their dedication and our carefully designed personal development programme delivered by our experienced and dedicated sixth form tutors.

Members of the sixth form have the opportunity to engage with local businesses and the community, explore higher education, take on leadership projects and develop their independence, as well as mentoring some of our younger students in order to develop the skills for required for life.

Sixth form can be demanding and requires commitment and determination to succeed – but you’ll have our support every step of the way.