A major £6m construction project has begun to expand Sandgate School.

Kick-started this week, the project funded by Westmorland and Furness Council, is set to bring much-needed enhancements to Sandgate School, a school for children aged between three and nineteen years with Special Educational Needs.

Sandgate operates a satellite campus at The Queen Katherine School (QKS), the school currently includes pupils in Key Stage 4 and 5 at its main site.

Once the project reaches completion, the satellite campus at QKS will extend to incorporate pupils at Key Stage 3, allowing all secondary-aged pupils to convene and learn at the same site.

Architects Plus has designed the project, while F Parkinson Ltd is responsible for carrying out the building works, projected to continue through Autumn 2024.

The project will include four new classrooms, a new sports hall, fresh changing rooms and other facilities.

This expansion will also increase Sandgate School’s overall capacity.

Cllr Sue Sanderson, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said: “This is great news for children with Special Educational Needs and I’m delighted the works can finally begin.

“Having all secondary age pupils able to attend the campus at The Queen Katherine School will really make a huge difference, it’s so important that wherever possible children with Special Educational Needs are included alongside their peers as part of the community, breaking down barriers and prejudices. In addition, the increased capacity means we’ll be able to educate more local children closer to home.”

Jon Hayes, Headteacher at QKS, stated that the development is poised to further the benefits already brought about through co-location with Sandgate.

Mr Hayes said: “This development is a positive enhancement for the students at both Sandgate and The Queen Katherine School. The co-location already brings benefits for both sets of students and this expansion will build upon the many years of successful collaboration that have gone before. "Our aim at QKS is to provide the best and broadest possible educational experience for all our young people and having Sandgate students as part of our community is a key part of that philosophy.”

Daniel Hinton, Headteacher at Sandgate School, said that the school community is 'so pleased' with the project.

He said: “The Sandgate community is so pleased to have the new build on its way. We are a growing school, with increasing need across Westmorland and our catchment. These brand-new facilities will give our students a school that is fit for purpose and able to cope with the demands of a modern curriculum. It is a pleasure to work so closely with QKS, this build puts us both on the map to be able to deliver a fully inclusive offer.”