A PIECE of stained glass designed by a pupil was providing the finishing touch to a major expansion project at a Furness school back in 1992.

The Mail, on December 4, noted: “Walney School’s new £1.5m wing was handed over by the builders today. And taking pride of place in the main stairwell is a one metre square stained glass window designed by 16-year-old pupil Ben Slater and built by local craftsman Jim Collis.

“Ben won a competition run by design teacher John McMinn to come up with a design to celebrate the school’s single-site refurbishment.

“The school’s Ocean Road annexe for younger pupils is to be demolished in February with all children being taught at the West Shore site.”

Headteacher Stan Aspinall said: “The window has been such a success and we are so proud of it we are now thinking of a second one in the new entrance foyer.”

The stained glass window, featuring a bridge design, was also being used in the logo for the school.

Mr Aspinall said: “The idea of bridges fits in well with what I think the school is about - building bridges with the community.”

The article noted: “The new wing will be officially opened in February. It includes new computer and maths rooms, science laboratories, a resources area, new offices and a reception area. The rest of the school is also being refurbished over the coming months.”

Mr Aspinall said: “I’m very, very pleased with it. It will enable us to offer the very best facilities to Barrow schoolchildren.”

Walney School provided the alpine setting for a production of the Sound of Music in July 1989. Captain Von Trapp was played by David Marcus, who also directed the show. The Von Trapp children were played by Nicola Clay, Gary Newton, David Mason, Donna Day, Deana Clarke, Debbie Hartley and Kirsty Francis.

The Mail, on October 31 in 1989, noted: “Pupils of Walney School are working hard to promote road safety education - and they’ve a trophy to prove it. The school has just won the Cumbria RAC Road Safety Trophy for 1989 for helping boost safety learning, based on the number of activities undertaken by the school over the past year. “These included studies by fourth and fifth year physics students into the effects of collisions, visits to firms making safety products and a visit to Cumbria Police headquarters at Penrith.” The trophy was presented by Cllr Anne Glendinning, from Cumbria County Council’s highways and engineering sub-committee.