PLANS to host a new academy school in Furness have been agreed by council bosses.

An academy school is set to open on the site of two existing schools – Parkview and Thorncliffe – in Barrow from September this year, following approval by cabinet members at Cumbria County Council.

A debate had raged over whether the school should be based on one site or two. Following a public consultation the decision was taken to go with the more popular option of locating the academy on two sites.

In August last year the Government agreed to fund a dual campus – which will cost around £40-45 million.

The new school will be sponsored by three educational establishments – Barrow Sixth Form College, Furness College and the University of Cumbria.

The academy, when opened, will become the fourth of its kind in the county. Two academies in Carlisle and another in Egremont opened in September last year.

Anne Burns, cabinet member for children’s services at Cumbria County Council, said: “It’s time to put the educational future of our young people first and make this new Academy an educational flagship to be proud of.”