COPELAND MP Trudy Harrison has extended her congratulations to three award-winning members of Whitehaven Academy staff – as well as receiving an update on the academy's £20m new build.

The MP has praised the work ethic and commitment of Beth Rothery, Oliver Stewart and Dawn Burkinshaw, who each won accolades at the recent Golden Apples Education Awards, run by Newsquest.

Beth won the Lifetime Achievement Award for 37 years of service; science teacher Oliver won the Best Education Profession Newcomer Award; and Dawn was named Best Support Staff.

Mrs Harrison said: “It was a pleasure to meet Beth, Oliver and Dawn and I’d like to congratulate them on their awards. Although you don’t go into teaching or to work schools to win awards, this is tremendous recognition from their colleagues and pupils that shows the high regard in which they are all held.”

On her visit to Whitehaven Academy, Mrs Harrison also received a progress update from headteacher Nigel Youngman on the new school nearing the finishes stages of construction.

The £20m school is expected to open in spring 2022 at which time more than 560 students, including sixth formers, will relocate to the new facilities.

Mrs Harrison said: “This new-build is what the pupils, staff and parents of Whitehaven Academy deserve and it is incredibly exciting to see it so close to completion.

“With new state-of-the-art facilities being created to compliment the dedication of Mr Youngman and his staff, the future is extremely bright for Whitehaven Academy.”