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Local Whitehaven · West Cumbria

LEVELS on Duke Street is up for a big national award, and it's only been open since January Whitehaven's LEVELS digital centre shortlisted for a national Bett award in its first year

By Kris WM, editor 3 min read From bettawards.com
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Whitehaven's LEVELS digital centre shortlisted for a national Bett award in its first year
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LEVELS, the £4.6m gaming and digital skills place on Duke Street, has made the final of the Bett Awards, which are a big deal in education tech. Over 3,200 young people have been through the doors since January.

If you've got kids, work in a school round here, or you've walked past that LEVELS building on Duke Street and wondered what it's all about, this one's for you.

LEVELS has only gone and made the final of the Bett Awards 2027, in Company of the Year (not-for-profit). The Bett Awards are the big ones for education technology, and it's up against some proper big names.

It only opened in January. It's four floors of immersive digital stuff, gaming and esports, mixed in with learning and skills sessions. BEC built it, with money from Sellafield's Social Impact Multiplied scheme and help from BT, and it's run as a community interest company.

The centre says more than 3,200 young people from 30 schools, colleges and home learning groups have been in since it opened, across more than 150 sessions. Not bad for year one.

Ian Irving, who runs LEVELS, said: "This is monumental for LEVELS and for Whitehaven." He also said: "This shortlisting shows that world-class digital learning doesn't stop at the edge of a big city – it's happening right here in West Cumbria."

Michael Pemberton, boss of BEC, said: "To see the project recognised nationally within its first year is a fantastic achievement for the LEVELS team and a proud moment for BEC and all our partners."

They say there's more on the way, with new skills courses and work experience and placements lined up with employers.

What to do: if you're a school or youth group, get in touch with LEVELS about booking sessions, and if your lot are into gaming, have a look at what's open to the public. The shortlist's on the Bett Awards website, and we'll find out if they've won at the awards.

LEVELS, the £4.6 million digital learning and gaming centre on Duke Street in Whitehaven, is a finalist for Company of the Year (not-for-profit) at the Bett Awards 2027, less than a year after opening.

This is for young people, parents and schools in West Cumbria, and anyone who has wondered what goes on inside the LEVELS building on Duke Street in Whitehaven.

LEVELS, a £4.6 million immersive education centre, has been named a finalist in the Bett Awards 2027 in the Company of the Year (not-for-profit) category. The Bett Awards recognise work across the education technology sector, and the shortlist includes some of the biggest names in the field.

The centre opened in January. Spread over four floors, it offers immersive digital experiences, gaming and esports alongside education and skills sessions. It was developed by the business support organisation BEC, with funding from Sellafield Ltd through its Social Impact Multiplied programme and support from BT. It runs as a community interest company.

According to the centre, it has hosted more than 3,200 young people from 30 schools, colleges and home learning groups since opening, and delivered over 150 learning sessions.

Ian Irving, chief executive of LEVELS Whitehaven, said: "This is monumental for LEVELS and for Whitehaven." He added: "This shortlisting shows that world-class digital learning doesn't stop at the edge of a big city – it's happening right here in West Cumbria."

Michael Pemberton, chief executive of BEC, said: "To see the project recognised nationally within its first year is a fantastic achievement for the LEVELS team and a proud moment for BEC and all our partners."

The centre says it is rolling out new skills programmes and working with local and national employers on work experience and placements.

What you can do: schools and youth groups can contact LEVELS about sessions, and families can check what is open to the public. The shortlist is on the Bett Awards website, and the winners will be announced at the awards.