A major secondary school in Wythenshawe which was controversially closed by the government two years ago is set to reopen next year after a hard-fought battle by Manchester City Council.
Newall Green High School was permanently closed by the Department for Education in 2020 due to dwindling pupil numbers and a poor Ofsted record - a move which was blasted by local councillors, parents and students at the time.
The Academy - formally based on Greenbrow Road - had a capacity for around 900 students but in October 2019, only had 437 students on its roll. And back in 2013, the school was criticised by government inspectors who branded it 'inadequate' in a damning inspection report - although the school was said to be improving at the time of its closure.
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Parents and local leaders slammed the government's decision to close the school as 'short-sighted,' with the move prompting such anger, former students even took to the school's field in protest.
In a statement at the time, a spokesperson for the DfE said the decision had "not been taken lightly" and that the trust and local authority were "working together to ensure appropriate provision" was found for students.
Today (Monday 11 July), Manchester Council announced the school would be reopening in September 2023 as part of the Dixon's Academy Trust - which took over the running of former Manchester Health Academy in January this year.
Hundreds of pupils were displaced and scattered to secondary schools across Greater Manchester following the closure of Newall Green - with many pupils said to have been allocated places outside of the local area.
Wythenshawe MP, Mike Kane, who previously fought against the then Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, in a bid to keep the school open has welcomed the opening of the new school - to be known as Dixons Newall Green - on the former site.
He said: "It’s fantastic news that Newall Green High School is set to reopen as part of Dixons Academy. I opposed its closure from the start campaigning with pupils, families and local councillors for it to remain open. I even met with the Schools Minister to make the case for it to stay open.
"Transition to high school should be a time of excitement of pupils and parents but too many residents this year have had to contact me about their school allocation. I know the closure of Newall Green did not help this situation meaning children were allocated schools out of the area.
"I recently visited Dixons Brooklands Academy and was impressed by the children, the staff and the ethos of the school. I have no doubt that Dixons Newall Green when it opens to students in September 2023 will offer our children a brilliant education and opportunities for personal development right here in Wythenshawe and I am genuinely delighted to hear this news."
Manchester council said the existing school site will undergo "extensive building works" before initially opening to 140 year 7 pupils. The number of pupils will then increase each year until it has students aged 11 to 16 by 2027.
Parents of children due to start high school in September 2023 can already apply for a place at the school. Coun Garry Bridges, the council's executive member for children and schools, said: "This is great news for Wythenshawe and we're really pleased to be working closely with Dixons to ensure the early opening of this new high school for the area from next year.
"We knew all along that more high school places would be needed in the area and we're really happy to see a high school again on this site serving the local community."
Mark Harrison, executive principal at Dixons Academies Trust, added: “We are really proud to be opening another school in Manchester and serving the community of Wythenshawe. We know that choosing a secondary school for our children is one of the biggest decisions we will make; that’s why we are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure the success of Dixons Newall Green, leveraging our knowledge and experiences from the success of all of Dixons’ secondary free schools to give our students access to an outstanding education.”
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