Yes , A Cole, there are surplus places in Barrow, but for reasons real or otherwise, many parents are desperate to send their children to schools in Dalton and Ulverston, rather than send them to ANY barrow school.
Pupil selection, if the bid is successful, will become the responsibility of the local authority, and the school will be an option, subject to criteria of distance, siblings in the school etc, in the same way as all other schools.
This will increase choice for pupils and parents alike, and give those who think it would the right place for their child the chance to join the school.
If you want IPads and gimmicks, choose the Academy, but do not be dazzled by the fact it is new and shiny, look at the results! If you want your child to be offered the chance to access the school with the best results in the area achieved in an environment where success is encouraged, consider.
I believe ALL parents who care about their children's education should have the chance to send their children to a school that best suits their child. Increasing the choices available can only be a positive step forward!

If parents want to pay to send their children to this school that is their business, but expecting tax payers including the poorest to pay for it is another. There are surplus places in perfectly good schools in Barrow. Tax payers' money should not be used to fund places at Chetwynde.