These are the first images of how Manchester city centre' s first new school in almost 20 years could look. Crown Street primary is being built to provide school places for families living in the skyscrapers in and around Great Jackson Street, Deansgate Square and surrounding areas.
The four storey building - the height is described as 'relatively unique' for a primary school - would provide 210 spaces for primary age children and 26 nursery places. There will be eight classrooms for nursery, reception and years one to six.
Because of the 'relatively constrained' site the school will also have a rubber-floored roof-top playground, with views over a planned park next door. Classrooms for the younger pupils will be on the lower floors, rising up through the building with age.
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In a statement supplied with the planning application the developers say: "The proposals will deliver the first new city centre primary school within close proximity to the inner ring road for nearly 20 years and will provide 210 places for primary age children and 26 nursery places. These proposals are therefore fundamental in delivering this essential piece of social infrastructure to support the education and sustainable growth of existing and future communities in the local area."
The school will be part of Crown Street Phase Two development – made up of 855 flats in two 51-storey tower blocks in the southern corner of Deansgate Square – as part of the Great Jackson Street masterplan. Plans for the towers, known as 'The Blade' and 'The Circle' as well as a new public park, were given planning approval in August 2020.
Funding from the school comes from Renaker Build. The final operator for the school has not yet been agreed but, the developers says, discussions are ongoing.
City centre councillors have long campaigned for a new school following a boom in city centre living over the last 20 years. Construction could begin this August, with an anticipated completion date set for June 2024.
Speaking after funding for the school was approved in October, Coun Garry Bridges, Executive Member for Children and Schools, Manchester council, said: "This is a big moment for Manchester and a big statement on what we want our city centre to be - a family friendly place with lots of homes and jobs for all. People want to make the city centre their home and so it's important for us to provide the infrastructure they need to enable them to do this through every stage of their lives."
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