The first 36 Year 7 pupils at Bruche Academy are settling in nicely as the new school year gets underway.
Warrington’s first all-through school will take pupils on one seamless journey from Early Years right through to Year 11 and will accommodate 300 secondary pupils by 2031.
The school’s secondary phase, headed by Secondary Director Don Gillthorpe, offers a broad and engaging curriculum designed to inspire curiosity and a love of learning, combined with high academic expectations and exceptional pastoral care.
Beyond the classroom, pupils will benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities to help them develop confidence, resilience and leadership skills, underpinned by strong partnerships with families that support every pupil to thrive academically, socially and personally.
“It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to welcome our first Year 7 pupils into the Bruche community,” Don said. “Seeing them arrive in their smart new uniforms and full of excitement was a wonderful moment for everyone at the academy.
“Our school is built on ambition, respect and opportunity, and we combine high academic expectations with real warmth and exceptional pastoral care, so that every pupil feels known and supported.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to know families over the coming months, including those of prospective pupils, to show them why Bruche is the right choice for their child.”
Chris Jones, Executive Headteacher and WPAT Deputy CEO, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome our very first Year 7 pupils to Bruche Academy. This is a significant moment for our school and one that our staff have been looking forward to with great excitement.
“Starting secondary school is an important milestone for every young person, and we want our pupils to feel welcomed, supported and excited about the opportunities ahead of them.
“As our first Year 7 cohort, these pupils will always hold a special place in the history of Bruche Academy. They have a unique opportunity to help us establish the character and identity of our secondary phase, and we are tremendously excited to see what they will achieve.”
Open evenings for prospective secondary families are being held on Tuesday 29 September and Tuesday 13 October, with three separate time slots (16:30, 17:30, and 18:30) giving families the chance to meet staff and pupils and see for themselves what makes Bruche different. Places can be booked using the link on the school website.
A £13 million project to construct new secondary and early years buildings alongside existing primary provision on the academy’s Seymour Drive, Padgate site is now underway.
The need for more secondary school places in the borough was identified in council plans published in 2024, and proposals for the new school were approved by local planners in December 2025.
