Work commences onsite to increase capacity at outstanding SEND Bolton school
Construction work is now underway at Rumworth School in Bolton to increase capacity and improve resources for group activities at the outstanding special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school.
Based on Armadale Rd in Bolton, Rumworth School provides education for children aged between 11 and 18 years, who have special educational needs and disabilities. It has achieved regular outstanding ratings by Ofsted.
The £5m project for the expansion of the school was procured via Clear Futures, with whom Bolton Council has a partnership. It is being delivered by the appointed contractor, Eric Wright Construction.
Cassidy + Ashton is providing planning and design consultancy services for the new facilities. Our design team undertook extensive engagement with key stakeholders from Rumworth School, Bolton Council and joint venture partner, Clear Futures, to create a vision for the new build.
The new two-storey teaching block will create 14 additional classrooms as well as providing several large rooms for group activities. The building will also provide welfare rooms, extra resource and storage space and hygiene suites on each floor.
On completion, the new facilities will enable the school to increase its capacity by 140 pupils. The project will also lead to new teaching jobs being created.
Mark Green, operations manager at Eric Wright Construction, said: “It’s great to be starting on site with the delivery of these new facilities for Rumworth School. We’re looking forward to making good progress through the summer holiday period and working again with Bolton Council and Clear Futures.”
Simon Barlow, associate architect at Cassidy + Ashton, added: “The whole team at Cassidy + Ashton is proud to be supporting Rumworth School, its students and Bolton Council, on meeting their education needs through the provision of this new facility.
The facility is targeting a 10 per cent improvement over current statutory environmental requirements through the installation of air source heat pumps and applying improved thermal performance measures within the building fabric.
“The design of the building provides an efficient and accessible ‘stacked’ combination of teaching and ancillary spaces, sympathetically complementing the existing school development with a high-quality design and positive environmental considerations. It is wonderful to see the excellent progress made and the facility coming to realisation for all involved.”
Sam Edwards, assistant project manager at Clear Futures said: “Clear Futures is proud to be supporting Bolton Council in delivering additional special educational needs school places at Rumworth School.
“As well as bringing fantastic new facilities, the project will also provide apprenticeship opportunities and educational support sessions for young people in the Borough. Delivering this social value for the community is a key part of the strategic partnership between Clear Futures and Bolton Council and just one of the ways we support growth in the area.”
Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Martin Donaghy, added: “Every child in Bolton deserves the best possible start in life, and the dedicated staff and top-notch resources at Rumworth School play a vital role.
“The new and expanded facilities will be, quite literally, building on the school’s success.”
Work is expected to be completed by Spring 2025.
Pictured left to right : Simon Barlow, associate architect, Cassidy + Ashton; Rumworth school students, Denis Davies, site manager, Eric Wright Construction; Rumworth school student; Mark Green, operations manager, Eric Wright Construction, Rumworth school student, Jennifer Dunne, headteacher, Rumworth School; Sam Edwards, assistant project manager, Clear Futures; Sandra Bruce, interim director of children services, Bolton Council; Hina Maisuria – Hill, senior asset management officer, Bolton Council.
