Plans for four new classrooms in another extension at Wigan high school

A planning application has been submitted to create a single-storey extension to Oakfield High School and College in Hindley Green.

It would be used to house four new classrooms and a link corridor. The proposal also includes external works and new car parking provision on the Long Lane site.

If the planning application is approved, it will lead to the creation of four full-time jobs at the school, taking the total number of employees to 103 full-time and seven part-time.

Seven new parking spaces would be created - four for cars, two for light goods vehicle and one for a motorcycle.

The proposal follows the approval of plans for another single-storey extension last year to house a new school reception area, with a courtyard infill for additional dining provision.

It is part of a 10-year plan approved by Wigan Council bosses in 2019 to transform the borough’s special educational needs schools.

Cath Pealing, the council’s interim assistant director for education, said: “Wigan Council is committed to ensuring all children get the very best education and support.

“The project at Oakfield is just one step of our long-term plan to ensure the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being met.

“There is high demand across the borough for places in specialist provision and we’re currently working on a phased approach over the next 10 years which will create more school places and build new facilities where current schools need investment.”

It will see virtually every school in the sector either moving or being rebuilt, as a lack of places for all the children who would benefit from non-mainstream schooling means many facilities require dramatic alterations.

Plans to spend £10m rebuilding Hope School and College on Montrose Avenue - the site of the former Pembec High School and Central Park Academy - have been agreed as part of the programme.

There are plans for new buildings for Rowan Tree Primary School in Leigh, Landgate School in Bryn and Willow Grove Primary School in Ashton.

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