Last updated 22:21, Thursday, 16 October 2008

Her report states that there is a “pressing need” for investment in the two Workington schools.

It adds: “There is a clear need for Stainburn and Southfield Technology College to become one new school, and the possibility of an academy solution is one that may be considered a favourable option.”

Academies are a government initiative to raise standards and can attract up to £30m funding including £2m from private sponsors.

Headteachers Lynda Dalkin, of Southfield, and Chris McGrath, of Stainburn, yesterday released a joint statement in which they hoped that discussions could start about “most exciting proposals” for education in West Cumbria.

The heads said they were both unaware of Ms Swann’s report, which had been intended for a different audience and function, until it was made public this week.

However, they said : “Our schools were built for purpose over 50 years ago and there may now be an opportunity to remodel the provision of education for Workington with an integrated approach with Children’s Services.”

They hoped that the Government building scheme would support the education authority in any “expression of interest” it might make.

Their statement added: “The time is right to capitalise on this community awareness and start the discussion forums in what could be the most exciting proposals for education in West Cumbria ever.

“A potential investment that could reach as much as £180 million would enable all concerned to develop solutions that would see state of the art resources, facilities and organisations that could help to prepare the young people of our town to be the confident, independent and responsible citizens of the 21st century.”

They called for a full dialogue to ensure that Workington had world class facilities for the next 50 years.

Ms Swann’s report said: “Schools in West Cumbria have not benefited from large amounts of capital investment over recent years.

“The consequence of this lack of investment means that most of the school estate is in need of attention.”

“The next steps are to continue discussions and consultations with the schools and communities concerned to seek their approval and buy-in of the proposals.”

Workington MP Tony Cunningham dismissed claims that there would be an academy in Workington.

He said the county council had released an old report which did discuss the possibility of an academy in Workington.

But Mr Cunningham said: “I am disgusted that the council would release this report and fuel these rumours.

“It is appalling that they would do this without consulting the teachers of the schools and the governing bodies.”

Mr Cunningham said he and Ms Swann had attended a recent meeting which discussed funding for Stainburn and Southfield and the possibility of keeping both sites open but running them under one structure.

Mr Cunningham added: “We had a meeting with the minister of academies and at no point was it agreed that our schools would be replaced by an academy.”

Other local options include a complete rebuild of Maryport’s Netherhall School and Silloth’s Solway School, and for Solway and Beacon Hill, Aspatria, to operate as a federated school on two sites, possibly to include Netherhall too.