School looking to the future with extension and grants

By Kelly Eve

Last updated 05:38, Friday, 26 September 2008

A NEW extension to a Carlisle primary school was officially opened this week.

View more pictures...

Warm reception: The work includes a new entrance and staff room

On Monday, bishop Patrick O’Donoghue carried out the opening at St Margaret Mary’s with Joan Phillips, widow of former headteacher Kevin Phillips.

During the summer break, construction work was completed on a new admin block and entrance.

It also provides a new staff room for teachers.

Monday’s opening ceremony came as headteacher John Myers moves forward with a £50,000 bid for lottery funding.

Mr Myers said: “We are hoping to provide top quality covered areas for outdoor learning and adult education.

“It’s about developing the school for the whole community and it’s a long-term strategy of the school to have an outdoor area for every classroom.”

Ideas for outdoor learning for the 225 children at the Upperby school include a sandpit for youngsters in year one and a weather station for those in year six.

The first stage of the bid has been welcomed by the Big Lottery Fund.

Now it must work on its details and pupils may be invited to submit a three-minute film about the bid.

Later this year, it could become one of several local bids vying for support in a public vote on Border TV.

Mr Myers said: “Our first step has been approved, I was informed during the summer holidays, and I think we’ve got to go through one more step before we go into the public competition.”