Workington Academy celebrates new record in student numbers
Workington Academy headteacher Des Bird in the school’s new dining extension
Workington Academy is celebrating a new high in student numbers with a record intake set to join its roll this year.
The school is again oversubscribed in year seven for this September and looks set to offer places to an additional 40 children.
Itâs the sixth year of entry form growth in succession for the Cumbria Education Trust academy, having expanded by 138 per cent since launching in 2015.
Places for September are not confirmed until March, but the academy has had to seek the permission of the CET board to accommodate a new high of 248 year seven pupils whose families selected it as their first choice secondary school.
Headteacher Des Bird in the academy’s new dining room extension, lessons at Workington Academy Workington Academy is celebrating a new high in student numbers with a record intake set to join its roll this year. The school is again oversubscribed in Year 7 for September 2021 and looks set to offer places to an additional 40 children. It’s the sixth year of entry form growth in succession for the Cumbria Education Trust (CET) academy, having expanded by 138 per cent since launching in 2015. Places for September are not confirmed until March, but the academy has had to seek the permission of the CET board to accommodate a new high of 248 Year 7 pupils whose families selected it as their first choice secondary school.
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The former Whitehaven School A TEAM of specialist detectives has been launched following serious allegations of child sexual abuse and exploitation in West Cumbria. A group calling themselves The Victims of Whitehaven School has written to various organisations, including The Whitehaven News, making accusations of historic abuse, threats and rape. They claim the allegations relate to the former Whitehaven School as well as the now-named Whitehaven Academy. It states: “As the media are pushing this topic constantly with several groups and famous celebrities getting the justice they deserve and the victims getting compensation, it has helped us come together and think to ourselves that we [too] should be getting compensation for our lives [which] they destroyed.”
It’s been an ever-changing picture and the largest disruption to education in recent history. With a need to see pupils return to school, huge changes have been made to ensure youngsters could continue their education throughout the pandemic. When Prime Minister Boris Johnston announced unprecedented measures of a UK national lockdown in March, schools closed to all pupils and school hubs were set up for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers. In June primary schools opened to reception, year 1 and year 6 and in secondary schools, those in year 10 and 12 were invited to have some face-to-face contact with their teachers.
Next year 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.