A new sixth form campus in Carlisle backed by over £1 million in funding is getting ready to open soon.
Cumberland Council has invested the money into renovating St. Edmunds Catholic Church on Orton Road to transform the building into a dedicated Sixth Form campus for James Rennie School.
The new space will open after the half-term holidays and is a key milestone for the school, which aims to accommodate its increased student body.
The new facilities at St Edmund’s Church, have been repurposed to cater to the educational needs of young people in a bid to make sure their requirements are met.
Councillor Elaine Lynch, Cumberland Council’s executive portfolio holder for lifelong learning and development, said: “I am delighted that James Rennie’s new Sixth Form will officially open after the October half-term holidays.
“With increasing demand for special school places, the expansions create much needed additional capacity while providing fantastic new facilities which will help young people reaching the end of their time at school develop and prepare for adult life.
“I would like to thank all parties involved and are grateful for their contributions and look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.”
Key partners included Day Cummins as the consultant and Story Contracting Limited as the contractor.
Kris Williams, Eden Academy Trust regional director and James Rennie School executive head; added: “James Rennie School and Eden Academy Trust community is hugely excited for our new Sixth Form provision to open as it will provide students with a specialist post-16 site for the first time.
“The investment and partnership with Cumberland Council means we have been able to increase pupil numbers right across the school and support more pupils from our community than ever before.
“St Edmund’s will be a place where post-16 students will prepare for transition into adulthood and learn to take their next steps beyond school.”
