The first details have been released on a new, multi-million pound secondary school building for students in Cumbria. The Department for Education (DfE) announced in the spring that the ageing buildings at The Whitehaven Academy were to be replaced by state-of-the-art premises. Now a planning application is set to be considered in December with the new build due to open in 2021. It will have the capacity for 900 students – from its current 540 – and is intended to be a modern, inspirational place to learn. Cumbria Education Trust (CET), who took over the running of the academy last year, said its ambition was for the Whitehaven Academy to become the school of choice for the area and at

The Whitehaven Academy’s new headteacher has outlined his vision and the immediate changes already made to improve learning at the school.