School for the Future

The official opening of the new school building for Newall Green High School was performed by the Rt Hon Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

The ceremony was attended by members of the community, Paul Goggins, (MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East), Councillor Sheila Newman, local councillors, members of the Local Authority and many local employers. Mr Balls spoke to staff and the School Council, before being interviewed by Austin Whelan, Year 9 student.

An art class sketched the Secretary of State during the interview and he was delighted to be presented with a framed life drawing during the ceremony.

He told the invited audience that it was the first time in visiting over 200 schools, that students anywhere had invited him to see the toilets!

Richard Rowe, Chair of School Council had informed Mr Balls that the students were really proud of the new facilities especially the spectacular central space and the toilets.

The rebuilding of Newall Green High School is part of the first wave of Building Schools for the Future funded by the Department of Children Schools and Families (DCSF) and Manchester City Council.

DCSF have funded £201m and Manchester City Council £15.5m of its own capital resources towards the first wave of BSF in Manchester, in order to deliver an extensive building programme which will help pupils at local schools learn in a much improved environment.

Paul Goggins said: “I was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State to Newall Green High School to officially open these new school buildings.

“The Building Schools for the Future project is delivering first class facilities for pupils to learn and teachers to teach. Newall Green High School is an excellent example of a school which deserves top quality buildings to match their ambitions for success.”

Ed Balls commended Parkway Green Trust’s commitment to developing local young people, through apprenticeships, work placements, employability events, and maintaining strong links with local schools and colleges.

Parkway Green recently won a prestigious Employer Award backed by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce for their consistent support in enhancing the employability skills and awareness of young people.

Newall Green High School is in the heart of the Parkway Green area of West Wythenshawe, and is one of three Wythenshawe high schools supported by the Trust.

Chief Executive Nigel Wilson said: ‘Everyone at Parkway Green Housing Trust is delighted that we are able to work with our local schools and help young people to explore the potential they have, and hopefully make Wythenshawe an even better place to live’.