The general teaching spaces are designed for flexibility and adaptability to support the full range of teaching and learning experiences. Each of the three floors of the Academy has its own general teaching area for subjects including English, Maths and Humanities.

Each area is made up of three single-sized classrooms and a double sized classroom with additional ‘break out’ space. The ‘break out’ spaces are used for individual and small group work as well as for flexible teaching with larger groups. The majority of classes take place in a traditional classroom environment. In addition to this more ‘traditional’ arrangement, when necessary, the walls within the areas can slide into storage spaces to allow for a range of combinations of room and open areas allowing us to organise the spaces to suit the learning activity. This flexibility can be seen to full effect during our special curriculum ‘intensive’ days during which an entire year group can be involved in special day of learning activities centred around one theme.

One of the design principles of the Academy is that every space is a learning space and in addition to the general teaching areas staff will utilise other areas both inside and outside the building to ensure the students have the spaces they need to learn in the most appropriate way.

Each general teaching space is equipped with audio visual equipment including interactive and touch screen presentation equipment. All students have open access to net book computers when they need them through our card access system.

The Academy has outstanding accommodation for art, music and performance.

We have a 370 seat capacity theatre equipped for professional standard performance. The theatre can be adapted for use as a rehearsal space for both drama and dance. Adjacent to the theatre are our set design workshop and performing arts classroom.

For music the academy has a music technology classroom equipped with 20 Apple Mac computers and midi keyboards including the professional standard recording and editing software Sibelius and Logic. The music department also boasts 7 individual practice rooms and an ensemble practice room all linked to a central recording studio.

Our Art department comprises two dedicated spaces. A large open plan Art Room and a smaller Art Studio. The spectacular Art Room rises through two floors of the building allowing for as much natural light as possible to fill the space. The Studio provides facilities for the latest in digital art media including photography, graphic design and film. The studio is equipped with 10 Apple Mac computers equipped with industry standard software enabling students to work in a professional media environment.

The Technology Suite is comprised of workshops for Textiles, Food Technology, Electronics/Systems and Control, and ‘super workshops’ for Product Design and Resistant Materials.

Each area is equipped with a full range of tools and equipment to enable students to experience the full range of practical technology. New technologies and ICT are incorporated into the facilities and are readily available to students. This enables the students to engage with the full design process form initial ideas through to design, product development and final realisation.

The Food Technology room opens to the outside giving access to the ‘kitchen garden’ where students can experience the growing process and have access to fresh produce and ingredients. 

The Science area is designed to give staff and student the appropriate settings for different scientific study. Three purpose built laboratories for practical science are each linked to a ‘breakout’ area for classroom based activities such as theory lessons, research and written work. This enables students to work in comfort and safety depending on the nature of the scientific study they are conducting.

The centre piece of the science area is the SuperLab. The SuperLab, designed in conjunction with the University of Cumbria, gives all students the opportunity to work in the kind of facility that they would encounter at a university or in a commercial research setting. The Science Department also makes use of outdoor garden spaces for projects linked to biology and other scientific research projects.

Morton has a long tradition of sporting excellence and the Academy has given us the opportunity to provide the best possible facilities for school sport.

Our new Sports Hall meets Sport England’s specifications for high level performance in a range of indoor sports. The wooden ‘sprung floor’ reduces the risk of injury and gives students the experience of performing on ‘elite’ level facilities.

We have extensive outdoor playing fields for team sports and athletics. Our partnership with Carlisle Leisure gives all our students’ access to the Fitness Suite. 

We are currently in the process of developing our ‘Sports Village’ which will bring the highest class facilities for gymnastics and cricket as well as a new FIFA compliant all-weather, floodlit artificial pitch. 

In addition to on-site facilities our students are encouraged to participate in Outdoor Activities through our climbing club, Forest Schools Programme and adventure learning activities.