Representatives from schools and the wider education community met today to discuss how pupils from secondary schools in the centre of Carlisle could benefit from a major building programme as a result of long term plans to recover from the devastation of the recent floods.
Cumbria County Council (as local education authority), diocesan representatives, secondary headteachers and chair of governors from three of the city's schools, the Learning and Skills Council, Government Office North West and the Department for Education and Skills looked at how to achieve the best possible outcome for the pupils and students of Carlisle. The ideas focused around:
1. A rebuild of Newman School, at the same size as at present, (4 forms of entry), on a new site nearby.
2. A rebuild of Trinity School on its own spare land so that the school can continue to function during the rebuilding. The school and diocese are in agreement that the school should reduce to 8 forms of entry.
3. Refurbishment and remodelling to parts of St Aidans County High School also affected by the recent floods.
These three schools could share a range of top class specialist facilities for sixth formers such as a library, resource centre, ICT facilities, lecture theatre, seminar rooms and refectory. Students would, however, continue the majority of their full time studies at each of the three schools. Equally important is the possibility of a shared 14-16 Skills Development Centre to provide vocational education.
The County Council as local education authority along with all three schools and the Learning and Skills Council will now commission a feasibility study which will be submitted to the DfES in May to be considered by ministers in June. During this time extensive public consultation will also be carried out with parents and the wider community. Carlisle College, Carlisle City Council, and other interested parties will also be invited to discuss the proposals.
Victoria Ashfield, Cumbria County Council's corporate director - education said:
"This is truly an exciting and visionary initiative which has caught the imagination of the Department for Education and Skills. There has been a number of ideas worth exploring with an outcome which will tackle both surplus places as well as the devastating effects of the floods earlier this year.
To make sure everyone has an opportunity to make their views known consultation with interested groups will be held at an open meeting in April. We want to build on the successful collaboration already being undertaken in education across the city and are hopeful that we will have a long term solution that is accepted by everyone involved.
Already the schools concerned, the LEA and the two dioceses are in full agreement that development is both desirable and possible. The plan could bring about a city centre" Learning Village" in collaboration with Carlisle College. Furthermore the proximity of the new UCLAN premises and the potential for St Martin’s to be a self contained degree awarding institution, will bring reality to educational aspiration for the city and enhance the potential for economic regeneration in Cumbria.
All interested parties, including students, parents and members of the community will be consulted over the coming weeks. The initial timescale is short to meet the DfES’s schedule, but should the bid receive a favourable response there will be the opportunity for further, more detailed consultation after the summer. We are thrilled to have so much interest and agreement already for this scheme."
John O'Neill, Headteacher at Newman School said:
"Staff, students, parents and Governors have shown their huge commitment to the school and how well they can work together in the face of the devastation caused by the recent flooding. By September all Newman students will be back on the original school site in a combination of refurbished classrooms and high quality temporary accommodation to enable full refurbishment of the school.
We are all entering into a new chapter in the school's history and better outcomes for our students. We see this as the first step which will hopefully lead to a brand new school. Everyone involved is united in their commitment to provide the best possible education for all our students so they have an excellent opportunity to fulfil their full potential."