Green light for academy proposal

Plans to replace three schools in South Cumbria with an academy have been given the green light by the government.

Alfred Barrow, Parkview and Thorncliffe secondary schools are to close, with the new building on the Parkview site expected to be completed by 2012.

Until then the academy will be run from existing school buildings.

Cumbria County Council and co-sponsors Barrow Sixth Form College, Furness College, and the University of Cumbria want to appoint a principal in July.

'Higher standards'

The proposal, which had earlier been backed by county councillors, was approved by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

As part of the £30m plans, two other schools - St Bernard's and Walney - will be expanded to provide 1,000 and 900 places respectively.

Councillor Jim Buchanan, cabinet member with responsibility for education, said that it was great news.

"The new academy is backed by key education figures in Barrow and beyond, and they are with us in taking this unique opportunity to invest in the education of school children in the area, to achieve even higher standards and quality."