RESIDENTS have a chance to find out more about plans to create Warrington’s first ‘all-through’ school at the Bruche Primary Academy site in Padgate, following the launch of a three-week consultation process.
Detailed plans are being developed for a new two-form entry secondary school at the school’s Seymour Drive site. The proposals will meet an urgent need for additional secondary places for the town and transform Bruche from a primary into an all-though 2-16 school – the first in the area.
The three-week consultation process began on Monday (10 February) and runs until Friday 2 March and includes two in-person public consultation sessions at the school, this Saturday 15th February, 11 am-1 pm, and Tuesday 25th February 6-8 pm.
Those unable to attend in person can keep up to date with progress https://brucheprimary.co.uk/about-us/bruche-academy-extension/ and by emailing [email protected].
The proposals are for a new secondary building to be constructed on the site of redundant council buildings next to the current Bruche Primary Academy site. The new secondary school building will eventually accommodate 300 pupils and includes state-of-the-art teaching spaces and sports facilities which will also be available for community use.
Warrington Borough Council has identified an urgent need to expand school places in the town, forecasting an increase in the secondary school population over the next six years due to a large primary school population moving into secondary schools, migration into Warrington and popularity with families living outside the borough.
Bruche Primary Academy – part of Warrington Primary Academy Trust (WPAT) – was rated first in the best-performing primary schools in Warrington in 2024; three of WPAT’s other four Warrington schools were also rated in the top 10.
Funding of up to £13 million for the demolition of the unoccupied buildings and construction of the new building for the school will come from central government funds. The council approved the funding in December.
The authority is expected to decide on the final proposals this summer. If approved, construction is scheduled to begin late summer 2025, with the school opening its doors to its first pupils in September 2026.
The proposed expansion
Bernard Clarke, Director of Strategy and Development at WPAT, said: “The opportunity to provide up to 300 extra places for students in Warrington is exciting and the facilities will benefit the school and the local community.
“We are keen that our neighbours and the wider local community have the chance to look closely at our plans, ask us any question they might have, and to let us know what they think. They will also be able to ‘walk through’ three-dimensional plans of the proposed development using VR headset technology.”
The consultation sessions at Bruche Primary Academy, Seymour Drive, Padgate, Warrington are on Saturday 15th Feb 11 am-1 pm, and Tuesday 25th February 6-8 pm. Further details and updates about the proposals are at https://brucheprimary.co.uk/about-us/bruche-academy-extension/
