A joint approach has been agreed to process the rebuilding of The Whitehaven Academy and further development to The Whitehaven Education Campus.
After a discussion with The Whitehaven Academy, Sponsor The Bright Tribe Trust and Cumbria County Council an agreement has been met on the way to move forward.
Earlier in July it was announced that £33 Million worth of funding had been secured to redevelop St Benedicts Catholic High School and Mayfield School on the current St benedicts site to transform education in Whitehaven. While the Whitehaven Academy was not included in them plans it was confirmed that the Academy remained part of the wider campus project and would be pressing forward with their own rebuild.
In recognition of the poor state of repair of The Whitehaven Academy and the pressing need to provide new facilities, the County Council, Copeland Borough Council and nuclear partners will continue to work with Bright Tribe to make the case to government ministers, once again, to provide the much needed funding that would allow the school to be rebuilt.
Cllr David Southward, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for property said:
“We have always recognised that The Whitehaven Academy’s buildings are in a very poor state of repair, and of course we want all young people in the area to benefit from the best facilities – we know the difference the right environment can make to children’s achievement. We were clear in our support for Bright Tribe’s previous approach to government for funding and were disappointed when it was not successful. That’s why we welcome this opportunity to work with Bright Tribe to restate the case for investment. Local young people deserve this and I am hopeful that, given the success in securing funds for St Benedict’s and Mayfield, government will see the necessity of extra cash.”
Tony Elson, the Chair of Bright Tribe, the charitable trust that runs The Whitehaven Academy said:
“We are very pleased to have the support of local partners in our efforts to obtain funding for the much needed redevelopment of The Whitehaven Academy. We also remain fully committed to playing our part in delivering the exciting concept of the Whitehaven Education Campus which will offer a wider range of educational opportunities and choice for this and the next generation of young people.”
Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland Borough Council said:
“It is very important that the pupils and staff at The Whitehaven Academy have a school fit for purpose. It is clear to me that significant investment is required and Copeland Council together with the County Council and our nuclear partners will play their part in securing Government funding”
Jamie Reed, MP for Copeland said:
“Every school pupil in Copeland deserves the very best – that’s why I’ve pushed for school rebuilding for so long and worked to establish the Whitehaven Campus for so many years. Nothing is more important to me than the educational opportunities provided to our young people and I’ll continue to press government and work with partners to attract the money that The Whitehaven Academy needs.”