Cumbria Education Trust (CET) has received the green light from the Department for Education to open a new alternative provision school in Carlisle.

This establishment will cater to 11–16-year-olds who require an alternative curriculum and specialised support for their education. 

The school will serve not only CET schools but all secondary schools in the area.

In collaboration with Cumberland Council, the proposed school, with an initial capacity of up to 120 students, is designed to meet the unique needs of young individuals who find it challenging to thrive in mainstream educational settings. 

CET chief executive Lorrayne Hughes said: “I am absolutely delighted that we will be working with Cumberland Council to bring the vision for a high-quality Alternative Provision School to reality.  

“We have been working tirelessly for several years to ensure our bid was of the highest quality and we are looking forward to the next stage of this venture.” 

A variety of GCSE and BTEC subjects will be available within the school. 

Having been in the pipeline for over two years, the proposed school intends to create a more inclusive educational landscape in Carlisle.

Martin Birch, Cumberland Council’s director of Children and Family Welfare, said: “This provision will have such a positive impact on the community, and we will share updates as the journey unfolds.  

“This collaboration between CET and the local authority will create the best opportunities for the young people who need additional support.“ 

The move has also been welcomed by Carlisle's MP John Stevenson. 

CET has three secondary and 10 primary schools across Cumbria and is responsible for the education of more than 5,000 young people.