Fearns set for £160k funding package

A £160,000 package of investment has been announced for Fearns Community Sports College.

The Stacksteads school recently welcomed County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, on a visit.

During the visit, Councillor Driver expressed his continued firm commitment to the school by announcing £160,000 of additional support to fund improvements to the building, including replacement of windows, general refurbishments and some groundwork maintenance.

More funding will be considered for any other improvements required, after the completion of a building survey.

The investment runs alongside work already taking place at the school to improve the quality of learning including teachers receiving support from advisers and consultants, and advisers also spending additional time in school.

During the visit, Coun Driver was joined by County Coun Susie Charles, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, Lancashire County Council chairman Anne Cheetham and Rossendale county councillors David Foxcroft, Jimmy Eaton BEM and David Stansfield.

Escorted by Helen Stead, the headteacher, they observed first-hand the facilities that are available to students.

Coun Driver CBE, leader of the county council, said: “We fully support staff and governors in their determination to ensure the school provides the best education possible for all pupils.

“On my visit I was able to see for myself the improvements that have been made.

“We are working very closely with senior leaders to help to raise standards of achievement at the school as soon as possible.

“We are also supporting the school to put measures in place so that pupils can make good progress. To make sure that these improvements are able to continue, I have approved additional funding for more refurbishment to the school buildings.

“This extra financial support has been approved by Lancashire County Council’s Cabinet, and officers are working on further proposals for councillors to consider in the near future.”

Council bosses say actions have already been taken at the school since concerns were raised in the community, including improving and monitoring standards of performance that are proving successful and demonstrating that progress is being made. Future actions also include developing closer working relationships with other local schools, the Regional Schools Commissioner, and the county council ‘to make sure that improvement continues’.