Second protest over academy plans

Pupils argue the academy will be disruptive to their education

A second protest has been held over plans to replace three South Cumbrian schools with an academy.

Furness Academy, to be based on the Thorncliffe and Parkview school sites in Barrow, was approved in January and is due to open in September.

About 150 pupils gathered outside Thorncliffe on Monday morning. The demonstration followed a protest at Parkview last week.

The county council said the academy will transform education in Barrow.

When it comes into existence, it will replace Parkview and Thorncliffe, as well as Alfred Barrow secondary schools.

The academy is being sponsored by Furness College, the University of Cumbria and Barrow Sixth Form College.

Some pupils and parents have argued that the move will be disruptive to education and has left some teachers uncertain about their jobs.

Cumbria County Council says the academy will be a "real opportunity to bring in a lot of resources to transform education in Barrow".