Green light for 30,800 sq ft Manchester school
Trafford Learning Vocational Centre will operate the facility, which is set to open in September 2025 to provide education for children from nursery through to sixth form in Openshaw.
Manchester City Council has signed off on the childcare and educational services provider’s plans to deliver the 30,800 sq ft all-through school on the disused site between Ashton Old Road and Whitworth Street.
The Create It Studios-designed scheme will feature 27 classrooms, a dedicated nursery zone, three libraries, and science and IT laboratories across three floors.
On the ground floor, visitors will find a 1,300 sq ft nursery, seven 300 sq ft classrooms to serve primary school pupils, and a 300 sq ft library, along with staff and office accommodation.
There will also be a 1,300 sq ft dining hall and a 1,600 sq ft sports hall at ground floor level. These floors will be partitioned with the ability to be combined to create a large theatre space.
Secondary school provision will be created on the first and second floors, with 10 300 sq ft classrooms to be delivered on each floor.
Additionally, a 600 sq ft and a 500 sq ft library will be found on the first and second floors, respectively.
Saghir Hussain, director of Create It Studios, said: “By zoning the building over three floors, we have been able to provide dedicated spaces for the nursery, primary, and secondary schools.
“It was important for the client that the building enabled the school leaders to foster a ‘one school’ culture, and this will be achieved through shared amenities where primary and secondary school pupils can interact.”
Shaheen Iqbal, chief executive of Trafford Learning Vocational Centre, added: “Once built, this state-of-the-art facility will allow us to offer a seamless and holistic educational experience for children of all ages.”
“Our nursery will provide a safe and stimulating environment for the youngest learners, laying the foundation for their educational journey”, he continued.
“The primary school will offer a comprehensive curriculum that promotes intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and essential skills development.
“As students progress into secondary school, they will be exposed to an enriching and challenging academic programme that prepares them for higher education and future success.”
In addition to Create It Studios, the project team also includes Causeway Technologies, Azymuth Acoustics, Redmore Environmental, LK Group, Advant Engineers, Kingdom Ecology, and Amni Transportation.
More about the development can be found by searching for application number 135649/FO/2022 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
