11th June 2008

St Helens Rugby League star, Paul Sculthorpe, proved a big hit with pupils and staff when he visited a South Lancashire school which provides quality education and care to children and young people with special needs.

Cumberland School in Bamber Bridge is part of The Witherslack Group’s growing portfolio and caters for secondary school pupils aged 11 to 16.

The Grade Two listed building, which was previously St Saviour’s primary school   has been modernised throughout. New buildings at the rear of the school provide  six classrooms, a science laboratory, an ICT suite, a Design Technology workshop, a Food Technology room and an Art studio. The school site also includes a number of playing fields which will be used for sport and games.

Paul Sculthorpe said: “It’s important that first-class facilities like this are available for children and families who need them.”

“The staff are passionate about the work that they do and have my admiration.”

Principal, Martin Hayhurst, said: “The opening day has been a great success. The parents/carers, pupils and Local Authorities are delighted with the new facilities on offer.

“For the first time in South Lancashire, the Witherslack Group is able to offer continuous education for children with special needs from the age of 5 through to 16. Cumberland School is now part of a 3-school partnership with our primary school (Westmorland School) in Chorley, and Cumberland Upper School in Blackburn.”