An Academy is looking to put its troubled past further behind it – by creating a new sixth form.

Whitehaven will join forces with Workington Academy in the new venture, to allow pupils an array of options from next September.

The West Coast Sixth Form will see a range of new vocational subjects being taught at the Whitehaven and Workington Academies. 

These will enhance the existing courses at Workington and extend study options after GCSEs.

Currently, Whitehaven Academy has no sixth form options and head, Nigel Youngman is delighted that the school is taking this step forward.

He said: “Having sixth formers back on site at Whitehaven will be another step in broadening the options for our students. 

“I’m delighted we can make this happen and look forward to further developing our post-GCSE range.”

Workington Academy is already recognised by Ofsted as a good provider of sixth form education. 

And Cumbria Education Trust (CET), which runs both secondary schools, wants to build on that expertise and extend it across West Cumbria.

The aim for the new sixth form, which will operate at both sites from September 2020, is to better prepare students for future careers, university or training. 

School leaders will be presenting the benefits to students, parents and carers throughout December and January.

Mark Bedford, deputy headteacher at Workington Academy and the head of the West Coast Sixth Form, said: “This is an extremely exciting time for post-16 education in West Cumbria.

“We want every student to have the opportunity to continue their education with us. We are doing that by combining the strong portfolio already offered with some new practical courses which we think will appeal to students.