Work continues on new school for South Workington

Cumbria County Council's Cabinet today agreed that detailed public consultation should take place regarding the possibility of building a new primary school in South Workington if more detailed work suggests that the project would be viable. Initial discussions have taken place about building a new Community Primary School on land owned by Impact Housing Association close to the Oval Community Centre in Salterbeck. The School would provide both educational and other community services for the local people. The school itself would replace the existing Harrington Infant, Harrington Junior and Garth Infant schools in Workington. 

The County Council, District Council, representatives of the three schools, local Resident's Associations and Impact Housing Association have already discussed how such a school could be developed. Plans are still at a very early stage but everyone considers that they are worth exploring further and that consultation should ideally occur as quickly as possible. 

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Education spokesperson on the County Council's Cabinet explains: 

"Its clear that the idea to develop a new Community School in Salterbeck has a lot of potential. It could well be a project that would break new ground in Cumbria in the way it would be developed and funded. Everyone involved needs to consider carefully exactly how that can be achieved before firm decisions to proceed can be made. We must also ensure that the local communities understand and support the concept, and have an opportunity to influence the way the new school and other services that would be provided from the site are developed. Once it is clear the project is viable detailed public consultation will take place in the area to find out exactly what local people want and need. This will build on an earlier consultation process that has already influenced our thinking. If we go ahead we could see a Community School that : 

• Can deliver integrated Education services tailored to meet local needs 
• Involve local people from all communities with a direct influence over how local services are delivered 
• Reflect the needs of young people and their families.    

"We want to develop a successful community venture, which include a school that can educate around 360 pupils with a new nursery class, and a school that can use the existing good quality sports facilities nearby. We also want to make best use of the properties that become vacant like Garth Infant School to provide a range of services consistent with issues such as health, counselling and family support services. 

But it is just as important to consider carefully the impact of the other school closures and ensure that everybody benefits from what at this stage is an exciting concept that warrants detailed consideration."