Investment in local schools and SEND support
Schools across Wigan Borough are set for refurbishment or expansion projects with better facilities providing a boost for thousands of young people.
Primary, secondary and SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) schools are due to be rebuilt or expanded in the next few years.
The plans – a result of funding from the Department for Education, co-ordinated by Wigan Council – were revealed as part of the local authority’s recent budget setting meeting.
Councillor Dane Anderton, cabinet portfolio holder for children and families, said: “We know that demand is increasing, for both general school places as our borough grows and SEND support, both in specialist settings and within mainstream schools.
“Increasing numbers of children across the country are presenting as needing SEND support, and we are working with the Department for Education to ensure that local children who need specialist support can be educated here in our borough, by creating dozens of new SEND places.
“We are seeing investment in our schools, creating better places for local children to learn, play and grow.
“Through the national programme, we are seeing investment in our schools here, creating better places for local children to learn, play and grow.
“I am proud that 97 per cent of local schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted with several now undergoing inspection under the new framework. We work closely with our schools to ensure that every child gets the best start in their education and has the support they need to thrive.”
RL Hughes Primary School in Ashton, Golborne High School, St Thomas’ CE Primary School in Leigh and Dean Trust Rose Bridge in Wigan are all set to benefit from the government’s ‘School Rebuilding Programme’.
St John Fisher Catholic High School in Wigan, The Byrchall High School in Ashton-in-Makerfield and Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley have already been refurbished under this programme.
In addition, around 140 new SEND school places are being created in Wigan Borough with the new Hope School is set to open in September 2027 and Rowan Tree School in September 2028, while the expansion of Landgate School and new SEND units at The Byrchall and St James’s Primary, all opened last September.
