A NEW learning hub for West Cumbria is on the cards as another education centre looks set to close.

The West Cumbria Achievement Zone, in Distington, which provides alternative curriculum for 14 to 19-year-olds, will shut in September.

To bridge the gap, Cumbria County Council is set to convert Richmond House, on Catherine Street, Whitehaven, into a new facility called the West Cumbria Learning Hub.

A project statement from Cumbria County Council said: “Children’s Services, together with school colleagues, have identified that as a consequence of the closure of the West Cumbria Achievement Zone (WCAZ) in September, access to alternative educational pathways in Allerdale and Copeland are limited.”

Subsequently, the county council is going to provide a replacement.

The new hub will be operated under the governance of the West Cumbria Learning Centre (WCLC), which works with the achievement zone.

It will provide alternative provision for pupils with special educational needs, from ages 11 to 16.

Helen Johnson, of West Cumbria Learning Centre, will be the new headteacher.

She said: “I’m delighted to be involved. It’s a positive step forward for young people in West Cumbria.”

She said the school will give alternative provision as “mainstream education isn’t always right for everybody”.

Mrs Johnson praised the Achievement Zone for its work, saying it has done “a fantastic job”. She said the reason for it closing is economics of scale, funding and to continue looking to improve on the “valuable work” it has done.

In advance of the new learning hub at Richmond House, a change of use application has been sent to Copeland Council.

The building was originally part of Richmond School, but was recently used as the County’s Highways offices until they relocated in 2013.

The county’s application states: “Due to the original use of the building the existing layout lends itself very well to the proposal and only minimal internal amendments will be required.”

Plans have been put forward to bring the building back into use by updating the electrical installations, heating, security and IT systems.

There are no plans to extend the building or amend its appearance.