A new £3 million school has opened its doors for the first time this week.
School 180 in the Harraby area of Carlisle is an alternative provision school.
It is called School 180 because it will help turn young lives around and will provide specialist support to the growing number of young people who struggle to access mainstream education because of social, emotional or mental health issues.
Built by Aspatria-based firm Roland Hill Ltd, following a £3m investment by the county council, the school will provide places for 40 pupils and be managed by the Gilford Centre Pupil Referral Service. Another new school of the same size is currently being developed in Barrow.
Rachel Clarke, headteacher at School 180, said: “It’s fantastic to have the school open and ready to welcome pupils. Pupils walk into this new building and they are in awe, one of them said it’s like going from a Robin Reliant to a Lamborghini.
“For young people who have often had difficulties at mainstream school and had their confidence really knocked, it makes them feel worthy and really valued to see this investment in their future. I am really excited about the impact having this great new building will have on the things that our pupils can achieve!”
Councillor Sue Sanderson, cabinet member for schools and learning, said: “It was wonderful to see the new building and meet some of the pupils who will benefit from it.
“The facilities are first rate and will make a genuinely huge difference to their experience at school and what they can achieve.
“We know there are many pupils who don’t do well in mainstream school, but with a change of environment and curriculum, as is possible in an alternative provision setting like this, can really do well.
“The county council has made increasing the availability of places at alternative provision schools a priority and we are looking forward to a second school opening in Barrow in future.”
