Official opening of new extension at Mayfield School in Whitehaven

On Friday 4th April the Leader of the Opposition Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP officially opens the new extension at Mayfield School in Whitehaven at 10am. The celebrations will include the unveiling of a plaque then Ian Duncan-Smith and other guests will have a tour of the new facilities and meet the teachers and children of the school. 

The new extension has created 4 new classrooms for 14 - 19 year old pupils together with new toilet facilities a cloakroom and a life skills area. The building covers part of the existing hard play area which was replaced by a new enclosed play area. The extension was designed to complement existing buildings but it was also intended to have its own identity. Having a pitch roof and detailing of the brickwork have achieved this. The building is a single story at the rear of the existing school building and is linked to the main school by a corridor. In the main school existing space was converted to form a physiotherapy room and speech therapy room. The school now also has a parent's room and a room for the Deputy Head. Work cost in the region on £373k coming from the Education Capital Funding, Central Maintenance Funding and Rolling Programmes Funding through the Capital Programme. 

County Councillor Joan Stoker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says 

"I am delighted that the County Council has been able to provide funding for such a worthwhile project. This new extension has created much needed extra space and facilities and I am sure the pupils and staff of Mayfield School will benefit greatly from the new extension. It will be a valuable resource for the school and thanks must go to the Headteacher for all her hard work and to the parents, staff and governors." 

Sue Leathers, Headteacher of Mayfield School is looking forward to celebrating the official opening. She says 

"It is very important that young people have an appropriate environment in which to learn, our new facilities offer our students just that. We are impressed by the design structure and the positive effects the building has had on all students. 

Our aim is to ensure that our students are well prepared to meet the challenges of adult life. These facilities act as a bridge from the safe secure environment of the mainstream school into adult life within the wider community. The building itself was meant to indicate change, enabling our students to become more independent, and with the support of the staff, encourage them to move on into their adult lives with confidence. 

Being able to work in such pleasant surroundings means a great deal to both students and staff, we value our 14 -19 centre of learning and are delighted to have such a prestigious figure to celebrate its opening."