Helping our students think outside the box
Last updated 16:02, Wednesday, 22 October 2008
THE last year has seen major learning and educational developments in West Cumbria, but none has been so significant for the cohort of students at the newly launched West Lakes Academy.
Students from Ehenside School in Cleator Moor and Wyndham School in Egremont joined forces to make the area’s first academy which aims to deliver quality learning.
But what do the new intake of Year 7s think almost two months into the opening of the new facility?
Bailey Hudson, 11, who was one of the first cohort to start the school in September, said he liked the idea of everyone coming together from two former schools. “The teachers and older students are all really nice; it’s a very friendly atmosphere here.”
Ellie O’Neil, 11, said: “Being a pupil at the new academy is like exploring a new adventure. The buildings look much tidier than they did before.”
Pepyn Van Der Nelson, 11, said the new facilities made learning more interesting.
“It’s good to bring two schools together – you meet friends from different areas you wouldn’t normally meet.”
Kirsty Nugent, 11, said: “Being here at the academy has meant we get to do more things in science such as experiments.”
Ben Armstrong, 11, said: “The academy has some smart technology in it – there are smartboards in all the classrooms and you can now pick up and submit homework through the new school computer programme.”
West Lakes Academy provides students with a range of academic and vocational programmes suited to all aptitudes and abilities.
The principal, Barrie Cooper, vows to take learning and development to the next level for the new generation of students.
“Starting a new term at a new academy has resulted in big changes and big challenges,” he said. “Our aim, as an establishment, is to challenge educational thinking and consider: is this the best way to deliver learning to our students?
“We need to move learning forward and look at the various delivery options.
“Our other aim will be to focus on learning not teaching. The quality of learning is what matters; if learning outcomes are good, teaching will be good.”
To accommodate the new changes the academy has gone through a series of major restructures and refurbishments.
A mass upgrade of the I.T. suit, with enough computers and laptops to go round, was one of the main changes to the face of the academy.
And soon the site will be fitted with a wireless network and plasma screens offering the latest messages and learning information to students.
But the new team structure is one of the most significant in the delivery of renewed education at West Lakes Academy.
A new senior team with external bodies, brought in from outside of Cumbria, will inject a fresh energy into the academy and the wider area.
The majority of staff, however, have been transferred from Ehenside and Wyndham Schools.
“New blood means new ideas for the school,” Mr Cooper added.
“You need that mix of professionals from the area and some from outside the county to look at what we’re trying to do here with a new eyes.
“But other changes to the school itself has helped students get a new feel for the place as a prominent learning institution.”
With a rich teaching career under his belt, West Lakes Academy is Barrie Cooper’s third full-time headship.
Schools in Plymouth, Staffordshire and Devon are only some of the establishments privileged enough to have experienced his talents. But most, he admits, have been inner-city schools.
He said: “The first school I worked with went from being on the edge of serious weakness to a top-performing school.
“Another school was already in special measures. We took it out of those measure so quickly, officials used it as a model to research from.
“So my background is very much taking schools forward through difficult change to rapidly delivering good learning.”
For Mr Cooper, who comes to Cumbria after working in Lichfield, Staffordshire, his work will be to inspire the students of West lakes Academy to explore all avenues of career choices and think outside the box.
“With the school specialising in science and enterprise,” he said, “I want the students to think enterprisingly and look at what is on offer for them educationally and professionally.
“Young people are budding entrepreneurs and encouraging them to think outside the box is a significant aspect to my role here.
“Our links with Sellafield and UCLan will produce key areas of progression when it comes to learning and development opportunities.
“With this area just recently becoming the Energy Coast, there will be an abundance of opportunities for our future professionals.
“But there needs to be more following the decommissioning of Sellafield to secure a broad skills base in which the local economy can prosper.”
