‘Learning environment’ at heart of city’s £30m central academy

By Kelly Eve

Last updated 11:00, Friday, 14 November 2008

Teachers and pupils may have to share toilets and school corridors are set to become a thing of the past when Carlisle’s £30 million central academy is built.

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All change: Sponsor Brian Scowcroft talks to pupils at the Richard Rose Central Academy at its temporary site in Harraby

The move to banish school corridors and classrooms to create ‘learning environments’ and the introduction of shared toilets are among ambitious proposals from designers creating a futuristic landmark building for the permanent home of the Richard Rose Central Academy.

Innovative plans and computer generated images unveiled to pupils, staff and academy neighbours on Lismore Place yesterday show a three-storey building with a focus around a large multi-purpose central atrium.

The atrium would be capable of hosting events including dining, full-school assemblies for 1,700 pupils and theatre and musical performances.

Classrooms lead straight off the atrium, many separated by floor-to-ceiling glass partitions creating a contemporary light and airy open-plan feel.

More than 200 central academy pupils in years 7-9 were the first to see presentations from academy director Mark Yearsley, Richard Rose Federation chief executive Peter Noble, joint sponsor Brian Scowcroft and architect Matthew Hird.

They were joined by senior members of Kier Construction – the firm selected earlier this week as the preferred contractor to build four new academy schools in Cumbria – experts from Capita and Sue Wilkinson, the academies lead at Cumbria County Council.

After a mixed response from pupils, a presentation was held for more than 50 members of staff, including teachers, at the central academy’s temporary home in Harraby.

The group then visited the former St Aidan’s School site, where the new building will be built, to speak to those who live in the immediate vicinity.

Two events for parents to see and hear more about the plans will take place on November 17 and 18, at 7pm, at the academy’s temporary home in Harraby. A letter to parents from director Mr Yearsley is being given to pupils to take home today.

The academy’s plans form just one part of a bid to build up an £80 million ‘Learning Village’ in the centre of Carlisle.

A contractor to build the £20 million redevelopment of Trinity School is expected to be selected and announced by the end of the month.

Carlisle College is also poised to undergo a £30 million transformation. Updated proposals are due to be considered by city planners today.