Hopes are high that education can return to the former St Bees School, a meeting has heard.

Mark George, chairman of the Trustees of St Bees School, told a public meeting at the school that he is "optimistic that a sustainable model can be found" to resurrect the historic school as an education facility.

He added that there have been a number of expressions from those interested in running the school, following an advert the trustees placed in The Times' Education supplement, and talks are now under way with various groups.

"It won't be by September 2017 unfortunately," added Mr George, "but there was a school here for 432 years, and we want to ensure there's one here for the next 432 years .

"So we're here for the long haul, we're prepared to take our time to get it right and are not going to rush into anything. We want to make sure the future is sustainable."

Mr George updated those gathered on the various interim activities that are taking interim place at the school site, ahead of a the hoped-for return of education.


Mark George "We have a strategy of protecting the school's assets while generating income, all with a view to resurrecting the school," added Mr George, whose children are former St Bees pupils.

"Crucially, the school didn't go into administration; it stayed in existence which gives us that basis to work from.

"We wanted to ensure the site didn't become unkempt and remained a picturesque element of the village; and the groundsman has done a brilliant job in doing that.

"We doing various other things to generate income; we've reopened the management centre and the swimming pool; we've held festivals and summer camps on the site; and let out some property."

Among those is the nursery, St Bees Little Learners, which will open up in the school's former prep department on October 24.

"That's given us a modicum of financial comfort – we've got around £250,000 in the bank – which we'll invest wisely to give us the best chance of achieving our aims."

The Trustees have appointed a specialist advisor to investigate education models, and their specifics. Conversations have also taken place with schools in South East Asia, with Mr George adding that there "will need to be an overseas element" to any future school setup.

He said: "We're in a better place than we were nine months ago. Things are becoming a bit more concrete; we've money in the bank with which we are speculating to accumulate, and are looking for the community's ideas on how when can generate more income and utilise the school site.

"I can't offer any guarantees but I'm optimistic that a sustainable model can be found."

The school closed amid a public outcry in July 2015, following a shock announcement from the governors earlier that year.