A brand new sixth form has opened at Rumworth School for students with special educational needs.
A Bolton school is celebrating the opening of a brand new sixth form for students with special educational needs (SEND).
The purpose built, two-story expansion at Rumworth School cost £5m and has been specially designed with 14 modern classrooms plus flexible spaces for learning.
Large windows ensure classrooms are welcoming and well-lit, while students requested a more grown-up décor to make the sixth form feel different to other parts of the school.
Several rooms provide space for group activities and pastoral support.
The new building has created extra capacity for the sixth form and provided additional flexibility for the school.
About 100 students are currently in the school’s sixth form, but thanks to the new building this is expected to rise to about 150 within three years.
Students at Rumworth follow one of five specially developed pathways covering sports, arts, catering and hospitality, horticulture and construction, or independence and community inclusion.
New flexible spaces have allowed teachers to offer extra courses so that students can explore the things that interest them and the school is busy setting up a hair salon, digital hub and arts area.
Nationally, over 95 per cent of school leavers with special educational needs struggle to find jobs and the school is determined to use the possibilities created by the new sixth form to help students into work and to be as independent as possible.
The project was procured via Clear Futures, which has a partnership with Bolton Council.
Architects Cassidy + Ashton provided the designs and Eric Wright Construction carried out the building work.
Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Martin Donaghy, said:
“Having a state-of-the-art new sixth form is a massive boost for the school and for Bolton.
“With demand for places rising, the school is doing a fantastic job in supporting children with special educational needs who want further education and I fully support them in their efforts to ensure every young person reaches their full potential.”
Rumworth School headteacher, Jennifer Dunne, said:
“We are thrilled with our new sixth form building.
“It gives the students their own space within the school where they can develop the skills they need to be as independent and employable as possible in their future lives.
Mark Green, Eric Wright Construction Operations Manager, said:
“We’re proud to have delivered the expansion works at Rumworth School.
“The works have increased capacity and will improve resources for group activities at the outstanding school.
“The new two-storey teaching block has created 14 additional classrooms and several large rooms for group activities, and we’re delighted to deliver this project for our clients Bolton Council and Clear Futures.”
Jessica Parker, a student at the sixth form, said:
“It helps me feel more independent and like I’m at a college and not school.”
Rehan Majid, also a student at the sixth form, said:
“It’s amazing we have so much room."