AN outstanding Bolton school is set to undergo a multi-million pound expansion.

Rumworth School, a secondary school and sixth form, for young people with complex learning difficulties and additional needs, will be expanded to create an additional 160 new places at a cost of £3.6 million.

Over the past 10 years, Bolton has seen a dramatic increase in the demand for school places.

A Bolton Council report, outlining the proposals for the school, stated: “This demand has resulted in an unprecedented expansion of many of the borough’s schools, including the opening of new schools.

“However, whilst the majority of these schemes have involved mainstream schools, demand for places at special schools has also increased and many of the borough’s special schools have also been expanded during this time.”

The school has almost doubled the number of places it provided some 10 years ago.

Over the last two years, Rumworth School has been significantly expanded to accommodate up to 150 year seven to year 11 pupils and up to 90 year 12 to year 14 post-16 students.

However, the latest pupil projections suggest that there will be a need to further expand Rumworth to be able to support up to 400 pupils across all of its year groups.

Plans to cope with demand include building a new teaching block to accommodate 15 additional classrooms and breakout spaces.

The building work is expected to be completed by September of next year.

The council says the costs will be met through the Children’s Capital Programme Budget to fund the project.

Rumworth School has been judged an outstanding school since 2014, with Ofsted describing it as a “dynamic and innovative school which ensures that each individual is respected, cared for and challenged to achieve the very best that they can”.

Cllr Anne Galloway Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: "There is a great deal of demand for places at Rumworth which has already seen significant expansion in the last couple of years.  I am very pleased that we have approved funding for a new teaching block which will allow the creation of a much needed pupil places at this outstanding school.   The building will be ready by next September,  in time for the start of the new academic year."

 

Cllr Akhtar Zaman, deputy leader Bolton Labour Group, said: “This is very welcome news and will be a boost for parents who wish to send their children to a school which is performing very well.

“This is a significant increase in capacity which is sorely needed.

“Also it is investment in an area of Bolton which needs investing in, so yes, I am very pleased to hear about this.”