21 April 2008

The Witherslack Group, which provides quality education and care to children and young people with special needs, opens its eighth school this week in Bamber Bridge in Lancashire.

Cumberland School adds to the company’s growing portfolio in South Lancashire and will cater for secondary school pupils aged 11 to 16. This means the Group is now able to offer continuous education in the county for day and residential pupils from the age of 5 through to 19.

The conversion of the listed former primary school and church hall has created six classrooms, a science laboratory, ICT suite, design and technology and food technology rooms. The school site also includes a number of playing fields which will be used for sports and games.

Principal Martin Hayhurst was previously in post at the Group’s Westmorland School in Chorley which received an excellent Ofsted report in 2005.

Mr Hayhurst said:  “This is a huge boost for parents and provides continuity of specialist education for their children. Some of my former pupils at Westmorland School will be able to move here once they reach Year 7 and that’s great news in terms of their development. We look forward to welcoming the first day pupils to our new school.”  

Charles Mills, Group Development Director said: “The Witherslack Group has a proven record of delivering the very highest quality education and care for more than 300 children and young people across the country.   Our portfolio of schools is growing and this is the latest example of The Witherslack Group giving local authorities more choice, value for money and, perhaps most importantly, the provision of continuous, excellent education and care for their children and young people.”