Last updated at 17:01, Friday, 22 February 2013

THE community is being invited to view the progress at a £22.5m new school building.

PROGRESS Work on Furness Academy’s new build is ahead of schedule JON GRANGER REF: 50044161B006

Events are being held to celebrate the progress on the new Furness Academy building, which is set to open in September.

Building work, being carried out by Kier Construction and project-managed by Cumbria County Council, is ahead of schedule and the development has now reached the stage at which members of the community can attend the site and take a tour of the building.

Last night parents of Year Six pupils had a tour of the site, which is off Park Drive.

They were joined by principal, Douglas Blackledge, and other senior leaders of the academy who explained the development, the philosophy that supports the key design features. They also answered any questions that parents might have.

Members of Kier Construction’s senior management were also present to assist and answer questions about the building project, which has been funded by central government through a grant given to Cumbria County Council for the reorganisation of secondary education in Barrow.

A ‘Topping Out’ ceremony will take place on Wednesday afternoon with representatives from the county council.

Later the same day the wider community are invited to a ‘Public Open Day Tour’. The event takes place between 6pm and 8pm. Mr Blackledge said: “It’s wonderful that students, parents and the wider community have the chance to see the building at this stage in its development. There are some amazing design features to explore.

“The quality of all curriculum provision is going to be very high, but we feel that our provision for both indoor and outdoor sports, the arts and ICT is going to be truly exceptional.

“I hope people will take up this opportunity and then come back again later in the summer term and again after completion to see how things progress right through to the finish.”

Anyone interested in attending the Wednesday evening public event is asked to call Furness Academy on 01229 814980.

First published at 16:34, Friday, 22 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk