Construction work starts on new school

Kingsway Park entrance visualisation

Students and staff at Kingsway Park High School have got an extra reason to celebrate the beginning of 2012 as construction works start on their new school.

£13million is being spent transforming the Turf Hill Road site which is due to be completed in Spring 2013 and will accommodate up to 1200 students.

As part of the project, a new two-storey building will be constructed at the front of the site to provide new student and visitors’ entrances and bespoke teaching facilities for art, drama and music.  This building will also include an open plan business/IT suite and the school’s Achievement Centre.

The student entrance will open into a large flexible space which can be used for student dining and social activities as well as informal teaching and learning. The space will be well-lit by a large triangular roof light, with windows giving views to the south-west and north of the site. 

The retained teaching blocks will be significantly refurbished and remodelled to create flexible learning environments. They’ve also been designed to be low-carbon and to reduce energy use through the installation of high performance windows, high efficiency lighting and plant.

Headteacher Deborah Ball said: “The new building really is another fantastic step towards improving the life chances and opportunities of young people in Rochdale. 

“Ofsted agreed that we have made dramatic improvements and progress since opening only 18 months ago and the opportunity to design and build something new is a once in a lifetime opportunity for this area. 

“Creating something that we can all be truly proud of is what we are aiming to achieve”

Claire Butler, inspiredspaces General Manager who are delivering the project, said: “Having worked closely with the Headteacher and school colleagues to develop detailed designs for their new school, it is very exciting to see those plans now becoming a reality.  I am confident that the new facilities will help Kingsway Park to deliver first-class education for many years to come.”

The on-site sports facilities, operated by Link4Life, will operate as normal during the construction.