Pupils at Sandgate School in Kendal have had their facilities upgraded into a 'much improved' learning environment.

The special school, catering for children and young people aged three to 19, underwent a reconfiguration of parts of its building over the summer break.

This is part of a £6 million expansion project, expected to be completed by autumn 2024, to increase the school's footprint and create more areas for learning and development.

Sandgate School operates as a satellite campus at The Queen Katherine School.

Daniel Hinton, headteacher at Sandgate School, said: "We are very pleased to have moved into our refurbished lower school site at the start of term.

"The work was on time and of a great standard.

"A number of our classes now have breakout spaces to allow small groups to access focused sessions.

"These spaces will increase the quality of teaching and learning and allow us to increase the number of children we can accommodate.

"As part of the works, we have also had an entirely new classroom built.

The 'demanding programme' required building and moving walls throughout the schoolThe 'demanding programme' required building and moving walls throughout the school (Image: Westmorland & Furness Council)"This room adjoins an assisted changing area, so has great access to the facilities that we need."

The additional alterations inside the existing school building were funded by Westmorland and Furness Council, following consultation with the school on project requirements.

Councillor Janet Battye, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for children's services, said: "Making these changes to the layout of classroom spaces within the school will have so many benefits for pupils and staff.

"Having additional breakout spaces will provide opportunities for more tailored learning for children's individual needs and create the inclusive teaching environment we strive for in all of our schools."

The 'demanding programme' involved moving and building walls throughout the school to create new group classrooms, all with adjoining breakout rooms.

Councillor Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for highways and assets, said: "These updated classrooms will provide great facilities for children with special educational needs.

"We invest heavily in schools as part of our annual capital programme budget and developments at this school show how building new extensions goes together with modernising and upgrading our existing buildings."