Morecambe secondary school named among England’s most improved for attendance
Morecambe Bay Academy has earned national recognition as one of England's most improved secondary schools for pupil attendance.
The academy, which is located on Dallam Avenue in Morecambe and part of The Bay Learning Trust, has received a three-star National School Attendance Award from FFT, placing it among the top 25 per cent of most improved FFT secondary schools in England for the 2025/26 academic year.
The award follows a rise in pupil attendance by two percentage points in just one year, driven by a shared understanding of the importance of good attendance, a strong sense of belonging, a rich curriculum and tailored support for pupils facing barriers to attending school.
Initiatives supporting the improvements included The Bridge, a provision helping pupils return to school and lessons, specialist support for pupils experiencing emotionally based school avoidance, and an Early Help programme working with families to identify and address challenges affecting attendance.
The academy has also seen a sharp rise in pupils taking part in extracurricular activities, with participation increasing by almost a third.
The growth has been seen across all groups of learners, reflecting an expanding programme of enrichment opportunities, from sporting activities and the annual school production to student-led clubs including crafting and Pokémon.
Pupils regularly achieve sporting success both in and beyond school, while educational visits and residential experiences, including recent trips to Italy and the ski slopes, help develop confidence and independence.
Jennifer Pardoe, headteacher at Morecambe Bay Academy, said: “Morecambe Bay Academy reminds me very much of the school I attended as a child, and that makes this recognition particularly special to me.
“School made a real difference to my life, and I know first-hand that a high-quality education can open doors to a healthy, happy and fulfilled adulthood. That starts with being in school.
“When our children attend regularly, they grow in confidence, enjoy better wellbeing and have the opportunity to truly flourish.
“I'm incredibly proud of our children and staff, and hugely thankful to our families for working alongside us. This achievement really belongs to our whole school community.”
FFT (Fischer Family Trust) is a national education organisation which helps schools improve pupil outcomes. Its National School Attendance Awards recognise schools making significant progress in pupil attendance, using data gathered from thousands of schools across England.
Morecambe Bay Academy is a secondary school and sixth form educating around 1,000 pupils aged 11 to 18.
Originally founded as Morecambe Grammar School in 1919, it moved to its Dallam Avenue site in 1938.
The school joined The Bay Learning Trust in 2019.