EXCLUSIVE

A COUNTDOWN has started for the Whitehaven Academy to get a brand new school.

Cumbria Education Trust (CET), which took over running of the troubled academy last year, has announced funding has been secured from the Department for Education to build a new school on the academy's current site.

Speaking exclusively to The Whitehaven News, CET's chief executive Lorrayne Hughes said: "This is the best possible news we could have hoped for, not just for the students and staff who attend this academy - but for the community of Whitehaven too, who are getting a fantastic new academy which will allow access to an excellent range of facilities.

"The run-down condition of the existing buildings has proved to be detrimental and disruptive to teaching and learning and we are delighted that the new school will provide additional capacity and a modern inspirational place to learn. This will have enormous benefit for both current and future generations of Whitehaven children as well as members of the community who will also be able to use some of the facilities.

"We believe our students deserve the very best environment to enjoy their education and we will be working closely with the architects to ensure that we are providing classrooms and high-quality facilities which are conducive to learning and which create a positive learning environment."

It is expected work on the new building will start in spring 2020 and the opening is scheduled for Easter 2021.

The former trust running the academy, Bright Tribe, was hit by stark criticism after it emerged funding secured for repairs and maintenance had not been spent on the building.

A Panorama report also highlighted the poor condition of the school.

Since September, CET said it has completed all its planned projects to ensure the school is safe, dry and warm and has invested further in an extensive internal decoration and refurbishment programme.

The Department for Education has not yet revealed how much money it has earmarked for the new building, however it said the current school will be used until the new one has been completed.

Lord Theodore Agnew, academies Minister, said: "It is fantastic news that the Whitehaven Academy will have an entirely new academy building, offering a fresh start for the school – this is the best use of resources to provide a much improved learning environment for pupils and staff. The building will not only help provide the children with the education that they deserve, but will also benefit the wider Whitehaven Community.

"It is great to see Cumbria Education Trust (CET) helping to drive improvement by taking on schools with significant challenges."

Details about how the academy will operate, the number of classrooms and range of facilities will be compiled through what is known as a School Specific Design Brief. Students will be involved in the process thanks to meetings where they will be able to put their ideas forward.

Ms Hughes added: "The School Specific Design Brief is an extremely important part of the new build process. We are hoping to look at ways of incorporating additional provision focused towards inclusion and the ability to ensure the future use of the facilities by the wider community. The enthusiasm from the students and staff to be part of this process is almost tangible."