The new school building at Workington Academy is continuing to take shape with windows and cladding now installed.

Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, the main contractor, is currently installing IT infrastructure and setting up the electrics.

Staff and students are hoping to be able to move into the three-storey building in February.

Once complete, the building will include science labs, a kitchen, design technology rooms, art workshops, a fitness suite, a gym, a drama studio, a main hall and a learning resource centre.

Sixth form students will have their own social and study areas.

The ground floor will feature a sports area which will also be open to the community.

The Education Funding Agency is funding the build which will cost £17 million.

The new building is being built as part of the Department for Education’s Priority Schools Building Programme.

Sarah Allison, business manager, said: “It’s gathering pace now. We’re really excited and we’re looking forward to moving.

“It’s a fantastic resource for the town, for the children and the community.

“The children deserve the best and they deserve the opportunity to have this school and this facility.”

The current school building is due to start to be demolished in March, but the current sports hall will be kept and joined to the new build.