A north Cumbrian school will officially open its sixth form learning hub next week as part of the first phase of a £10m investment.
Last October, Caldew School in Dalston, near Carlisle, announced £1 million a year would come from Story Group.
Headteacher Vicki Jackson, revealed the plans to students and parents and work started in May.
The project is being delivered for the school by Story Contracting with support from local firms PMS Fabrications, AL Daines and Unwin Jones.
Fred Story, along with the leaders of the businesses involved, are all ex-students of Caldew School.
The first phase includes three new dedicated spaces for sixth form students:
- A sixth form learning hub, which will be a dedicated space designed for students to work independently, equipped with all the necessary facilities to support their studies.
- A sixth form student hub, which will serve as a communal space where students can relax with their peers providing a positive environment for socialising and discussions.
- A collaboration hub which will provide a dynamic space where staff and students can work on projects, hold meetings, and collaborate on ideas. With rooms designed for different needs, it fosters creativity, teamwork, and active learning.
The school said every classroom in the sixth form will also be reconfigured with state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring students have the best possible resources for their studies.
Mrs Jackson said: “We are delighted with the new Sixth Form centre equipped with state-of-the-art facilities which will be transformative to the learning of Caldew School students.
“We aim to ensure the facilities meet the needs of modern day students so that they recognise their talent are empowered and inspired to reach their goal of attending a leading university, high level apprenticeship or employment.”
Mr Story, owner of the Story Group, said: “I believe we have fantastic potential in Cumbria and this investment is all about unlocking that potential for all pupils at Caldew School.
“It’s about raising pupils’ aspirations, their achievements and giving them the opportunity to have the best education, the best extra-curricular activities and the best facilities which I know aren’t always available in Carlisle.
“I’m confident that if the pupils are the best they can be, whatever career path they take, they will contribute to the long term success of the area, and be employed by the fantastic businesses we have in the city.”
