Local MP Robert Largan has welcomed news that contractor Henry Brothers has been appointed to build a new £4 million extension at Glossopdale School after completing the £23 million main School complex, which opened in 2018.
Along with residents and Conservative County Councillors Jean and George Wharmby, Robert has been campaigning hard, and lobbied Derbyshire County Council to extend the School since the need for expansion was first raised with him by residents in 2019.
Last May, Conservative-run Derbyshire County Council agreed to expand Glossopdale School.
Work on the two-storey classroom block is expected to get underway this April and will provide a further 240 places at the school in Hadfield, near Glossop: 200 extra spaces for pupils aged 11 to 16, and 40 additional sixth form places.
It will also create additional social spaces and will be built to match the main complex of the School.
The building design has been developed by DLA Architecture jointly with Derbyshire County Council and the School. The project is being funded by Derbyshire County Council.
The Henry Brothers Midlands team on the project includes DLA Architecture, civil and structural engineer Curtins, and Couch Perry Wilkes for M & E services.
As well as building the main complex at Glossopdale School, Henry Brothers have also undertaken external work on the site. It is expected that the new block will be completed early next year.
The company has wide experience of delivering school facilities in the East Midlands, including Derbyshire, and is currently building the new £13.2 million Alfreton Park Community Special School, having previously delivered a hydrotherapy pool for the School, and also completed phase 1 and phase 2 of the Aldercar High School project for Derbyshire County Council, totalling £8.7 million in value.
Robert Largan, MP for the High Peak said:
“I am very pleased that contractors have been appointed to build the extension at Glossopdale School.
“I want to thank all those who have worked to deliver this project, and Councillors Jean and George Wharmby, who have been hugely supportive of the campaign.
“I hope Glossopdale School will go from strength to strength following the expansion.”
Managing director of Henry Brothers Midlands, Ian Taylor, said:
“We are excited to have been appointed to build this additional block at Glossopdale School—the latest in a number of projects that we have delivered for schools in Derbyshire, and following on from our successful partnership to build the main school complex at this site.
“The new development will nestle into an existing bank on the south side of the school and will be accessed via a covered walkway into the top floor, with an outdoor stairway down to playgrounds and fields below.
“Henry Brothers Midlands is looking forward to starting work on site to provide additional facilities and space for this popular school.”
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Young People, Councillor Alex Dale said:
“It’s great news that this development project is underway. We’ve worked hard to provide the extra places required, and this is a major step forward towards the much-needed expansion of this school.”
Headteacher, Debbie McGloin said:
“We are really pleased to see this extension move forward, and are excited to be able to offer more places for the children in our community.”
