The countdown is now well and truly on for the completion of Wigan’s first all-new high school in more than 30 years.
Abraham Guest in Orrell is the first school to be built under the council’s multi-million pound Wigan Schools for the Future programme and it gives an exciting glimpse of the future.
As a pathfinder school, it will test the council’s approach to transforming education in the borough in advance of the wider Schools for the Future programme - phase 1 of which will see £80m invested in the borough’s secondary schools.
Building got under way in June 2008 and pupils have been involved from the very start.
They have worked with the architect and constructor to help design their ideal school and have had a say in everything - from the landscaping to the books in their library and even the cutlery in the new bistro-style cafeteria.
The school, which is scheduled for completion at Easter, will boast plasma screen TVs, a 210-seat performance studio, dance studio, gymnasium, 4-court sports hall and a third generation multi-use games area designed to Sport England standards.
Pupils will enjoy 21st century technology including cashless catering, where they can buy their lunch using biometric finger recognition.
The new school will also be fully wireless-enabled and pupils will be able to access their work via a range of fixed, mobile and handheld devices wherever they are in the building.
Pupils can hardly wait for the move. Head girl Jade Cartwright said: “Everyone is really looking forward to getting into the new school. It will just be a better place to learn.”
Head boy John Wilson adds: “Our student council met the architects to discuss what we want our new school to look like. We even had to do ‘Dragon’s Den’ style sessions to sell our ideas but we’ve definitely got what we asked for.”
The £22m school is a partnership between NPS North West Ltd, Wigan Council and constructor, Wilmott Dixon. It will be divided into two multi-storey learning blocks, linked by a light, airy atrium where pupils can relax or enjoy a bite to eat.
There will also be a single storey sports and music department, a public lending library and extensive adult learning facilities, ALL of which are available for use by the wider community.
State of the art ‘green’ technology is a key feature of the school and will include solar panels, heat exchangers and condensing boilers. Headteacher Roy Caslake says: “The facilities really are state of the art and we’re all very excited about moving in at Easter. It will provide our pupils and the wider community with a truly inspirational space to raise aspirations.”
Cabinet champion for children and young people, Councillor Susan Loudon says: “Our vision is to transform learning and provide Wigan’s youngsters with the very best education, opportunities and facilities. The new Abraham Guest high school shows how our plans can become reality.”
More schemes in the pipeline
Further schemes included in phase 1 plans for the project include:
- Building a new secondary school for Lowton and Golborne on the Lowton Civic Hall site, with Lowton J&I and a children’s centre on the same site;
- Rebuilding Hindley High School and expanding it from 935 to 1125 places;
- Expanding and remodelling Westleigh and Bedford High Schools to take more pupils;
- Transforming Hesketh Fletcher High School in Atherton and PEMBEC high school sites into 14-19 centres for youngsters which will offer broader educational and vocational opportunities.
