Plans to build an exciting and innovative new learning community within the heart of Leigh have been given the go-ahead.
The council has been granted planning permission to start work on Leigh’s newest primary schools on the site of Leigh Central and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary Schools.
The Windemere Road site will become a focal point for the local community and will see the co-location of the two schools, as well as a new Surestart Children’s Centre.
These will be housed within a state-of-the-art new building, designed in a partnership between the council, the Archdiocese of Liverpool, NPS North West Ltd, and building contractor Eric Wright Construction Ltd, and based on the council’s model school design. The new building will include environmental features, such as rainwater harvesting and solar water heating.
Set to open in 2010, the £8m project is a pilot scheme under the Government’s new Primary Capital Programme, and will be the first of many in the borough over a 15 year period.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People, Atherleigh councillor Susan Loudon, says: “We are delighted that the plans for this modern new school can be progressed. We know that some people felt passionately about the Leigh Central building and that passion is to be admired but anyone who has been inside will have realised that it simply wasn’t fit for purpose.
“Our children deserve the best learning environments we can provide and the prospect of a modern, bright and dynamic building on this site is also something we can all get passionate about.
“We believe that such an innovative centre of education right in the heart of Leigh will not only benefit the children but will add to the economic prosperity of the town and be seen as a catalyst for the area around the school site and in central Leigh.”
The two schools, one catholic and one community, are currently located on adjoining but land locked sites, are in a poor physical condition, have basic dining and kitchen facilities and outdoor play space is extremely limited. The new facility allows them to keep their separate identities whilst sharing some facilities; school halls, staff areas, main entrance and access roads, community facilities, school meals kitchen, heating systems and external play areas.
The schools will also have new play areas sited at roof-level, multi-use games areas and grassed areas within their sites.
Leigh Central headteacher Yvonne Collison says: “Everyone at the school is delighted with the planning decision and excited to be part of this flagship project. Our children are the citizens of the future and the new school will ensure that they are given the best provision and a learning environment to meet the needs of the 21st century.”
While Sacred Heart head Helen Ahmed adds: “All the children, staff and governors are looking forward to being part of this innovative project. We look forward to moving into a new school fit for educating our children for the modern world.”
