£1m investment for new sixth form for students with special educational needs in Cumbria

Almost a million pounds is going to be invested in creating new sixth form facilities for students with special educational needs in Cumbria.

The funding by Cumbria County Council will be spent on creating a dedicated campus in Cockermouth.

Those behind the scheme believe it will be pioneering in its approach to bridging the gap between school and work for pupils with learning disabilities. 

St Joes' in Cockermouth will become home to Mayfield School's new sixth form, addressing annual issues with capacity at the Whitehaven School.

Sixth form provision will be hosted for James Rennie School at St Edmund's on Orton Road.

Cumbria County Council's investment will increase Mayfield's capacity from 197 to 230 places, and James Rennie School from 159 to 195.

Cllr Sue Sanderson, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet Member for Schools and Education, said: "I'm delighted we've been able to commit this money to develop these new sixth form facilities.

"It's so important that we create more space in our special schools and this is an innovative way of doing that."

Work will begin on both sites soon, and it is expected to be completed early next year.