Work starts at Trinity High School

Building work has begun on the refurbishment and rebuild of Trinity C of E High School in Hulme.

The £17m project will see the remodelling of almost half of the existing Cambridge Street school, as well as the construction of a brand new three storey teaching and administration block.

A new central, social hub will be created at the heart of the school and will be complemented by landscaping of the grounds, including elements that have been designed following consultation with the students themselves.

The new build part of the project, funded through the Building Schools for the Future programme (BSF), is expected to be completed by Summer 2011 and the refurbishment by Spring 2012.

Trinity has technology college status and was rated outstanding or good in all categories in the school's most recent OFSTED inspection.

The revamp at the 1,200 place school will include a 120 seat lecture theatre, new netball and tennis courts, as well as new facilities for science, RE, maths, english, design technology, humanities, drama and music.

Headteacher, David Ainsworth, says: "Including ICT and additional refurbishment of the Greer Block, the total investment at Trinity will be in excess of £20 million. This much needed investment will be of huge benefit to our students and staff and will help to keep us at the forefront of educational achievement and attainment."

Councillor Sheila Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive Member Children's Services, adds: "Trinity is yet another Manchester school to benefit from the BSF programme. Achievement rates are already very good at the school and I'm sure the improvements will help it go from strength to strength."

The contractor on the project is Willmott Dixon and the architect is Ellis Williams Architects.