Work is finally getting underway on the long-awaited expansion and relocation of Hope School in Wigan, with an £18 million construction contract now awarded and new images showing what the finished development is expected to look like.
The school, which is currently based at Kelvin Grove in Marus Bridge, is moving to the existing Hope College campus on Montrose Avenue in Norley Hall. The plans will bring the school and college together on one site, with new teaching buildings, specialist facilities and additional places to help meet the growing demand for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision across the borough.
Hope School is rated outstanding by Ofsted and supports children and young people with a wide range of learning difficulties and complex physical needs. The expansion has been in the pipeline for some time, and Wigan Council has now appointed Nottingham based Conlon Construction to carry out the work, with the new facilities expected to open in time for the 2027/28 academic year.
The plans include two new specialist teaching buildings. The larger will have 13 classrooms, a hydrotherapy pool, a kitchen, a rebound room and reception offices, while the second will provide another 10 classrooms, a dining hall and seven specialist resource rooms for different subjects. An existing building will also be converted to provide administration space and accommodation for pupils with the most complex needs.
Outside, there will be new playgrounds, landscaped areas, parking and drop-off facilities, with the development designed to provide more space and improved facilities for pupils and staff.
As part of the contract, Conlon Construction has committed to providing opportunities for local workers and apprentices, along with financial support for SEND and family-support organisations in the area.
Guy Parker, Chair and Managing Director of Conlon Construction, said the company would be drawing on its experience of building specialist education facilities across the North West, while also supporting local employment and training opportunities.
Councillor Laura Flynn, Wigan Council’s portfolio holder for children and families, said: “We are delighted to be moving this important project forward as it will not only improve classroom and sensory facilities but will also create additional specialist places and help meet growing demand for SEND provision across the borough.”
