Work begins on construction of two new Rochdale school projects
Construction group Wates has begun work on two multimillion-pound school schemes in Rochdale which will provide a total of 1,170 new pupil places.
The group began work on site in the villlage of Whitworth where it will create 750 new places by building a two- and three-storey main teaching block with classrooms, main hall, specialist technology spaces, entrance plaza and parking.
It will provide approximately 5,093 sq m of space and accommodate pupils aged 11-16 years with 84 full-time equivalent staff. The existing sports hall is being retained.
With sustainability embedded in its design, the project forms part of a Department for Education pilot scheme to deliver a building that is net zero carbon in operation.
The new school is being developed in response to the age and condition of the existing 1960s building which plays a central role within the community and has now survived well beyond its life expectancy. The new facility is scheduled for completion in winter 2022, opening in early 2023.
Meanwhile, Wates has begun work on a new 420-place primary school in Littleborough.
The Littleborough Community Primary School and Nursery will be built over two-storeys on land within the existing Littleborough campus.
Turf cutting ceremony at Littleborough
It will provide 14 new classrooms, a library, a new sports/assembly hall, multi-use games area (MUGA) and a 420-place primary school providing 60 places for each year group, along with a 26-place nursery.
Located within a landscaped setting with outdoor play spaces and a dedicated car park, the older school buildings will be demolished once the new school is handed over ready for occupation, in late 2022.
Both schools are being funded by the Department for Education as part of its 10-year School Rebuilding Programme. They are among a batch of six schools that Wates Construction was awarded in January 2020.
