Expanding capacity for one of Cheshire’s busiest secondary schools

Client: Cheshire East Council

Conlon Construction delivered the expansion of Wilmslow High School, increasing capacity from a ten-form entry to a twelve-form entry school and ensuring it could continue to meet growing demand from the local community.

Delivered within a live educational environment serving more than 2,200 pupils and 260 staff, the project combined refurbishment, remodelling and new-build elements to create additional capacity while enhancing the overall campus experience.

The Challenge

As the only secondary school serving Wilmslow, maintaining uninterrupted education throughout construction was critical. The expansion needed to increase pupil capacity while improving campus functionality, circulation and accessibility, all without disrupting day-to-day teaching and learning.

Careful planning, stakeholder engagement and phased delivery were essential to ensuring the school remained fully operational throughout the programme.

Our Solution

Conlon delivered a comprehensive expansion and improvement programme, including:

• Expansion from 10FE to 12FE capacity
• New entrance extension and dedicated administration facilities
• Internal remodelling and reconfiguration of existing spaces
• Integration and linking of sports facilities
• Campus-wide refurbishment works
• Installation of temporary classrooms to maintain continuity of education
• Improvements to site access and circulation
• Enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes
• Upgrades to the drop-off and arrival areas
• External works and landscaping improvements

The programme was carefully phased around the operational requirements of the school, ensuring disruption to staff and pupils was kept to an absolute minimum.

The Outcome

The completed development has increased the school’s capacity while providing a more efficient, accessible and welcoming environment for pupils, staff and visitors.

By expanding facilities and improving the overall campus layout, the project has helped secure the long-term future of Wilmslow’s only secondary school, ensuring more young people can access high-quality education within their local community.

The project demonstrates Conlon’s expertise in delivering complex education projects within live environments, balancing operational continuity with high-quality construction to create lasting value for schools and the communities they serve.

Our Social Value Impact

• 190 local FTE jobs supported through direct employment and our supply chain. 
• £2.56m spent with local supply chain partners, supporting economic value within the surrounding area. 
• 73 apprenticeship weeks delivered, supporting skills development across the construction supply chain. 
• Five weeks of work experience placements delivered, including opportunities for Year 10 and Year 12 Wilmslow High School students. 
• 24 volunteer hours dedicated to careers education, including careers talks and pupil engagement sessions. 
• Sustainability and carbon reduction careers sessions delivered for Year 8 and Year 9 pupils. 
• £5,800 in donations and in-kind contributions provided to local community initiatives, including £300 towards a Wilmslow High School production. 
• Food collection campaigns organised for Wilmslow Parish Food Friends, including a Christmas donation drive. 
• Biodiversity initiatives supported through bird and bat boxes and tree planting delivered as part of the school’s landscaping works.