Great Howarth School in Rochdale has officially reopened following a major expansion and refurbishment, welcoming families, staff and community leaders to mark the occasion.
The independent specialist day school hosted a reopening event on Wednesday afternoon, inviting parents, carers, former colleagues and members of the local community to see the newly developed facilities. The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Janet Emsley, attended and cut the ribbon to formally reopen the site.
Guests gathered in the refurbished main hall for refreshments before hearing from head teacher Gavin Hosford, who reflected on the school’s journey and its commitment to supporting pupils with complex needs.
Gavin Hosford said,
“Our expansion is about ensuring that children who need specialist provision can access the right support, at the right time, in the right place. At the heart of Great Howarth are the young people, children with needs shaped by experiences that no child should carry. At our school, our commitment to them is simple, we will not give up on you. When outcomes improve, lives change. And that is why we are all here.
“What we offer here isn’t education in the narrowest sense. We offer relational teaching, integrated therapeutic support, a curriculum that builds skills for life, not just qualifications, and culture that’s grounded in unconditional positive regard.
“None of this happens without our extraordinary people. To our staff past and present – thank you for your professionalism, resilience, and a refusal to lower expectations even on the toughest days. The future will bring challenges I’m sure but standing here today I am confident that we are ready, Great Howarth is ready.”
Following the speeches, attendees moved outside for the ribbon cutting before taking guided tours of the enhanced learning spaces and the new primary school building.
Great Howarth School provides specialist education for boys and girls aged seven to 18. Based in Rochdale, it supports pupils with speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health needs, ADHD and autism.
Councillor Janet Emsley said,
“I’m pleased to see the continuation from primary through to secondary and into post-secondary education. I think one of the advantages here is that they’re on site, they know the place, and they’ve got that progression tree. As the school fills up, I think that’s going to become a big advantage in future years.
“I like the small spaces. When you come in at the front, you don’t realise how much there is behind it, but there are so many lovely, calming spaces. The staff-pupil ratio means it’s going to be a very, very safe place to be. Looking at the outside space, I noticed that there’s a bit of an adventure playground, which is going to be a place for young people to grow their own things, and that’ll become their space in the way that they want it to be.
“I was impressed with the life skills area. I think this is sometimes neglected in further education, getting kids to be able to do things that they will have to do in their ordinary lives. It’s really good, and I look forward to watching the school continue to grow and reach full capacity.”
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