Construction work has officially begun on a major £18m project to expand and relocate Hope School and College in Wigan, following the appointment of Conlon Construction by Wigan Council.
The development marks a significant investment in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision across the borough and is designed to help meet increasing demand for specialist education places while providing enhanced facilities for pupils with complex needs.
Hope School, currently based at Kelvin Grove in Marus Bridge, is an Ofsted-rated outstanding SEND school that supports children and young people with a wide range of learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Under the plans, the school will relocate to the Hope College campus on Montrose Avenue in Norley Hall, creating a larger, purpose-built educational environment.
The project is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2027/28 academic year.
Wigan Council said the appointment of Conlon Construction represents an important milestone in the scheme and allows construction activity to get underway on site.
Councillor Laura Flynn, portfolio holder for children and families at Wigan Council, said the development would deliver long-term benefits for pupils, families and staff while helping address growing pressures on SEND provision.
“This appointment is a significant milestone for Hope School and in our commitment to ensuring children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have access to the high-quality learning environment they deserve,” she 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.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the project become a reality as it will have a lasting positive impact on pupils, families and school staff for many years to come.”
The expansion plans include the construction of two new specialist teaching buildings that will substantially increase the school’s capacity and range of facilities.
The larger of the two buildings will house 13 classrooms alongside a hydrotherapy pool, kitchen, rebound room and reception offices. A second teaching block will contain 10 classrooms, a dining hall and seven specialist resource rooms that will support a variety of learning activities and curriculum areas.
In addition, an existing building on the site will be refurbished and converted into a dedicated administration centre while also providing accommodation for pupils with the most complex needs.
A programme of external works will complement the new facilities, including the creation of additional car parking, drop-off areas, playgrounds and landscaped outdoor spaces.
Alongside the physical development, Conlon Construction has committed to generating wider social value benefits for the local community. These include the use of local workers and apprentices throughout the project, as well as financial support for organisations that work with SEND children and families.
Guy Parker, chair and managing director of Conlon Construction, said the company’s experience of delivering specialist education schemes across the North West would help inform the project.
“Our experience delivering specialist education projects across the North West has been invaluable in shaping our approach to Hope School and College,” he said.
“We are proud to partner with Wigan Council on this landmark expansion, delivering not only exceptional facilities for pupils with complex needs, but also investing directly in the local community through regional supply chain spend, local jobs and training opportunities.”
Once complete, the new Hope School campus is expected to provide state-of-the-art learning and therapeutic spaces tailored to the requirements of SEND pupils, helping ensure the borough can continue to meet rising demand for specialist education while offering improved support for students and their families.