Sponsors
The three Sponsors of Furness Academy are Furness College, the University of Cumbria and Barrow Sixth Form College. Furness Academy is one of the few academies in the country that boasts only educational Sponsors, all of which have an in-depth understanding of the learning needs in Barrow.
Furness College has been at the forefront of Barrow’s education system for more than 100 years. Today, it is pioneering young apprenticeship schemes, diplomas and higher education opportunities in conjunction with three universities, including the new University of Cumbria, and has invested £50 million in a world–class campus with cutting–edge facilities.
The College has always been proactive in the regeneration of Barrow, and its co-sponsorship of the new Academy forms part of its aim to create a culture of learning in the town.
Established in 1979, Barrow Sixth Form College is one of the few purpose-built sixth form colleges in the country and unique within Cumbria.
The College's main work is to provide full-time courses for students aged 16 to 18, offering 35 GCSE subjects and one OCR Level 3 National Certificate. It is an active member of the Furness 14-19 Education Consortium, which aims to develop a strategy for the area that will genuinely enhance education opportunities for young people.
University of Cumbria
The University of Cumbria was formed on 1st August 2007. It has strong links and close partnership working with Further Education colleges in Cumbria and is the lead institution of Cumbria Higher Learning – a Further Education Distributed Learning Network for Cumbria.
The University is committed to fully engaging with all schools across the region in many different ways to raise the aspirations of youngsters. The University is the largest learning provider in the county and as co-sponsor can use the expertise of university staff and students to benefit young people.
Its sponsorship of the new Academy reflects this commitment, as it will furnish students with the skills they need to progress to Further Education and beyond.
