Work has started on a new £2.9 million education facility in Barrow.
The 40-place alternative provision facility at Channelside will provide education for children who have needs not met by mainstream schools.
The development site is close to the A590 and will give a new lease of life to a piece of land which has been vacant since 1985.
Sue Sanderson, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills, said: “I’m so pleased to see work progressing on site in Barrow.
“We’re entering an exciting time for education in Westmorland and Furness as we move forward with our strategy to offer inclusive, local provision where everyone has access to good quality education and is enabled to realise their full potential.
“Our aim is to provide an alternative curriculum and education experience for children and young people who find the mainstream environment challenging.
“This will be an invaluable facility for those who need it and I’m really looking forward to seeing the next phase take shape.”
Lisa Balderstone, headteacher at South Cumbria Pupil Referral Service, of which the new provision will be a part of, said: “By adapting the way we deliver education to support young people and their families, we can really help to re-engage with students who have struggled in a mainstream setting, through tailored learning from specialist staff, with smaller class sizes and a significant focus on a tailored approach to identify and meet needs.
This new provision will bring more places for us to further support young people who need it, to enable them to transition to good post-16 opportunities.”
Next stages will include foundations, drainage and external works ahead of the installation of the modular buildings, which will start in the spring. Work is expected to be complete by the winter.
