We are delighted to report that building work on our new Junior School and central, social ‘Hub’ is well underway. This page will be updated regularly as building work progresses on this important project, the single largest in the School’s history. Sited on land to the rear of the School, foundations were laid on Thursday 25th September for a section of the ‘Hub’ which will be at the heart of the School.

Utilising currently unused space between buildings, the new ‘Hub’ will wrap around the Arts Centre providing a modern, light and airy area designed to offer additional opportunities for informal teaching, as well as creating exciting exhibition and reception spaces for extracurricular and special events.

The project – which will cost £4.3m (including fees and VAT) – will deliver a purpose-built suite of classrooms for Withington’s younger pupils, enabling two-form rather than single-form entry in both Years 5 and 6, and enhancing accommodation and facilities available for the whole School. The new Junior School building will be capped with an eco-friendly wildflower grass roof, and much of the preparatory work is being carried out off-site to reduce disruption.

With construction due for completion in summer 2015 – Withington’s 125th anniversary year – this latest investment follows a decade of improvements including a new £2m Sixth Form Centre and Bistro in 2009 and a £1.2m Science development just a few years earlier. The new Junior School and ‘Hub’ will be the largest single development in the School’s history.

Mrs Marks commented: “The new Junior School and Hub will help to ensure that Withington remains at the forefront of girls’ education nationally offering exceptional opportunities for personal development – academic, cultural, sporting and social – and encouraging independence of mind and high aspirations”.

“I am delighted to announce that, from September 2015 onwards, our means-tested bursary scheme will be extended to include Junior girls in Years 5 and 6. This will be in addition to the Senior School Bursary Scheme which currently helps around one-in-six senior girls with the fees, according to each family’s needs.”

The project has been designed by Manchester and London-based architects Levitt Bernstein, who have created a master plan to meet Withington’s long term development strategy. North West Construction company, Seddon, which has carried out hundreds of school refurbishments in its 115 year history, has been appointed as lead contractor on the project.