Armfield Academy

Armfield Academy
Location
488 Lytham Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1TL

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Coordinates53°47′22″N 3°02′52″W / 53.789421°N 3.047777°W / 53.789421; -3.047777
Information
School typeFree school
EstablishedSeptember 1, 2018 (2018-09-01)
Local authorityBlackpool
Department for Education URN145863 Tables
OfstedReports
Head teacherMr Mark Kilmurray
Age range3-16
Websitehttps://www.armfieldacademy.co.uk/

Armfield Academy is an all-through school in Blackpool, Lancashire.[1] It is part of the Fylde Coast Academy Trust.[2]

History

After Arnold School merged with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School and moved to Lytham in 2013, its old building was left vacant. In 2016, the land was acquired by the Fylde Coast Academy Trust, who announced their intention to open a new all-through school. At first the plan was to name it Avenue School, but following a campaign by former Blackpool mayor Robert Wynne, it was named after footballer Jimmy Armfield, who attended Arnold.[3]

In 2025 the school drew attention after pupils lined the streets for the funeral procession of lead student mentor Pat Burns.[4]

Ofsted

The school has been inspected once since opening, on 7th February 2023, and was rated Good in all areas.[5] Inspectors praised the school culture, behaviour management and careers advice, but noted "some variability in how the ambitious curriculum is delivered". It was also noted that in some cases disadvantaged pupils had low school attendance and assessment data was not always used as effectively as it could be.

References

  1. ^ "Armfield Academy". Get Information About Schools, Gov.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Fylde Coast Academy Trust". www.fcat.org.uk. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  3. ^ "After 120 years, Arnold School is reduced to rubble". Blackpool Gazette. 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  4. ^ "Blackpool pupils line the streets for beloved teacher's funeral". BBC News. 2025-06-18. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  5. ^ "Inspection of Armfield Academy". Ofsted. 8 February 2026. Retrieved 18 March 2026.