Beech Hill Primary is being re-built as part of the Wigan Schools for the Future programme and the £4.6m project will see brand new state-of-the-art facilities designed to give children and young people the edge in an ever-increasingly competitive world.
The original school was built in 1913 and was in a poor condition.
The council programme is designed to bring schools up to 21st century standards by rebuilding and improving them and ensuring that wider services for children and families are available at the heart of their local community.
The new school is based on the council’s eco-friendly model school design and includes solar heating panels, rainwater harvesting and low energy lighting.
Demolition work started on the old school in January 2010 and pupils have been temporarily housed in a purpose-built ‘modular village’ on nearby playing fields. Year one teacher Debbie Lees explained: “We moved in to the temporary accommodation in January and despite the heavy snow at the beginning of the year, we’ve all settled in really well.”
Excited pupils are determined not to miss a step of the building work and regularly check out progress on site.
And now pupils will actually be getting involved in the construction process by helping the site team design a community garden, which will eventually be located close to the new school entrance.
In the meantime, pupils have had lessons outside to try and decide what flowers and plants they want to see in the garden.
Debbie said: “Our pupils are all really fascinated by the building work. We’ve being doing some project work with them about the type of things they want in the new community garden and they’ve come up with some great ideas.
“It will be fantastic to see their ideas translated into reality.”
Headteacher Janet Seddon said: “I’m really excited about the plans for the new school, as are our pupils. With its fantastic facilities, the new school really will place us at the heart of the community.”
The new Beech Hill Primary will be ready to open in 2011.
