Specialist School in Carlisle nearing completion
Cumbria County Council took another important step in building an alternative provision school in Carlisle, with the final batch of modules comprising the school being delivered and successfully installed on the Edgehill Road site in Harraby on 22 September 2022.
The development of this new alternative provision school will provide specialist support to the growing number of young people who struggle to access mainstream education. The school is designed to provide state of the art facilities to support the achievement of Cumbrian young people by offering a broader curriculum with a range of creative and vocational pathways available.
An official site visit to mark the final batch of modules being delivered and successfully installed took place last week (Wednesday 5 October). The event brought together representatives from the organisations behind the project including Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, Cllr Sue Sanderson, main contractor; Roland Hill Ltd along with school leaders and prospective students.
Cllr Sue Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, said:
“It was great to see the successful installation of the final batch of modules to the Carlisle site last week.
“Although not quite complete yet, you could see the school starting to take shape and the positive impact the layout and spaces of the new facility will have on the learning environment for its new pupils.
“I’ve also been really pleased to see the engagement of prospective students in the building of this new school. You can see how involved students feel in this project, and the positive impact the building of this new school will have on them and other young people in Cumbria.
“That’s why this school is so important, it will go a long way in ensuring all children in Cumbria are able to access education, whatever their needs, offering a specialist local alternative.”
Rachel Clark, Headteacher at the Gillford Centre Pupil Referral Unit, who will also provide leadership for the new school, said:
“There is a real buzz amongst staff and students about the new school.
“Students have really enjoyed monitoring the progress of the build from its starting steel work at the Roland Hill site in Aspatria to seeing it in position onsite in Harraby- the students have loved putting the jigsaw pieces of the build together.
“Now that the final modules have been installed to the site, you can appreciate the size and space of the building. This, coupled with a vicinity to local services such as the theatre, football pitches and greenspace for outdoor learning will transform what we’re able to offer students.”
Chris Hill - Managing Director of Roland Hill said:
“At Roland Hill Ltd, we feel privileged to be an integral part of the creation of this new school facility in Carlisle.
“Once works to the facility, which is due to open in 2023, are complete, the facility will positively impact the lives of local young people and, as works continue, we remain extremely proud to be part of this project.”
The Carlisle site is the first of two alternative provision schools being developed, with an additional site in Barrow also being developed. Cumbria County Council have invested £6.2m in the combined development of the two new schools which will provide spaces for up to 80 young people between them.
The schools, in Barrow and Carlisle, will be managed by the council’s Pupil Referral Services, providing new and additional space to complement existing facilities at Newbridge House and the Gilford Centre.
