Sheppard Robson to design Stockport town centre school

Billed as a primary element in the council’s £2bn regeneration programme, the local authority is targeting a 2031 works start date for the education facility.

Sheppard Robson will lead the design of the town centre school, which could oversee the education of up to 1,500 primary and secondary students.

Stockport Council is keeping the location of the school confidential, with options still being considered, however the proposed site is understood to be close to the bus interchange in the town centre.

Driving the delivery of the school is the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation, which appointed Sheppard Robson to lead the design team after launching a procurement exercise in April.

A new school in the town centre will be necessary under the MDC’s plans for the area, with a masterplan in place for the building of 8,000 homes in the area.

“You can build new homes and employment opportunities, but unless you have social infrastructure, you’re not creating communities,” said MDC chair Lord Gavin Barwell.

“The appointment of a design team for the new town centre school is a significant milestone in turning that ambition into reality,” he said. “Alongside new homes, transport links and public spaces, the school will help create the foundations of a vibrant, family-friendly town centre where people can put down roots and thrive.

“By investing in the infrastructure that communities need, we are creating a place that is not only growing, but growing well, with opportunities and benefits that will be felt for generations to come,” he concluded.

Cllr Michaela Meikle, cabinet member for economy, regeneration, and skills, echoed his remarks. She described the school as “one of the most important pieces of social infrastructure planned for Stockport town centre”.

“As our town centre continues to grow with new homes and new jobs, it is vital that this transformation is matched with the necessary social infrastructure,” she said.

“A modern, accessible school will help give children and families the support they need to thrive, offering more choice locally and helping every child to access a brilliant education close to home. “

Sheppard Robson partner James Jones said described the school as “an ambitious project”, but that his team was up for the challenge.

“Having worked on Stockport’s ongoing regeneration, we understand the council’s vision for creating the best for local children and neighbourhoods, and we look forward to being part of the team that brings it to life,” Jones said.

Sheppard Robson is a leader in school design and has had a series of recent projects in the North West, including the replacement Bramhall High School in Stockport, Hopwood Hall College’s £39m teaching block in Rochdale, the replacement Riverside Primary School in Wallasey, and the £41m Health Innovation One campus at Lancaster University.