Building work on the £23m new Abraham Guest complex in Orrell is now halfway towards completion and is right on track to hit the opening deadline of early next year.
The school is the borough’s flagship for the larger £257m Wigan Schools for the Future Project which will radically re-shape secondary education in our borough.
The new Abraham Guest, a partnership between the council, architects NPS North West Ltd and construction firm Willmott Dixon, contains a host of exciting new features for the entire community.
The site includes primary and secondary schools, public library, Sure Start children’s centre, an adult learning centre and sports and leisure facilities – and it will be open for public use seven days a week.
Abraham Guest head Roy Caslake says: “There is a real buzz around the school about the new building. Next year Abraham Guest will be 50 years-old and what better way to celebrate than to see its future rising up before our eyes.”
Wigan Council’s ruling cabinet has also given the green light to the rest of the ‘schools for the future’ project and has let the government know that it is ready to deliver on its plans.
Consultation on the first phase of the plan has already begun in Lowton, Golborne, Atherton, Hindley and Westleigh.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People, Cllr Susan Loudon says communities can be reassured that the future is in safe hands.
“In today’s rapidly changing world our children deserve cutting-edge schools and it’s great to think that more schools such as this one are on the way for other places in our borough.
“Changes will need to be made to our current provision and that can cause unrest and uncertainty but this is a once in a lifetime chance to make lasting and fundamental improvements to our children’s life chances.”
Details of the first stage plans are available at: Schools for Future
The deadline for comments is 26 June.
