2021 will see The Whitehaven Academy reaching fresh heights – as the school’s new build rises from the ground.
Work on the multi-million pound project is well under way with much of the steel structure for the 6,720 sq metre facility now in place, including the academy’s sports hall.
After delays caused by coronavirus complications, 2021 is set to be an exciting year as students and staff get a front row seat to see building progress.
The new academy will include 21 classrooms, seven science labs, two art studios with views across to the Lakeland fells and three design and technology rooms. It will make the best use of natural light and feature bright internal walkways.
The new build is due to open in spring 2022, meaning students who join in September will be among the first to take lessons there. The three-storey academy will boast a well-equipped learning resource centre, high-spec ICT throughout and each classroom will benefit from state-of-the-art interactive whiteboards.
Demolition of unused buildings has already been carried out at the Cleator Moor Road site and the current academy will be razed after building completion.
The new academy will be able to accommodate 900 students from Years 7 to 11 plus another 150 in the Whitehaven base of the West Coast Sixth Form. Whitehaven and its fellow Cumbria Education Trust school, Workington Academy, formed the new sixth form to operate at both sites last September.
It will be a busy return to school in January for the joint sixth form team with a virtual open evening taking place on Wednesday 27th for starters in September.
Thirty two courses from traditional A Levels to vocational study are available for post-16 students. Options include Health and Social Care; Children’s Play, Learning and Development; Sport; IT and Applied Business. Students can find out more at https://www.westcoastsixthform.org/