Students have been welcomed back to the new look Dixons Newall Green Academy, following completion of work on the free school by Morgan Sindall Construction.
Operated by the Dixons Academies Trust, the academy - located on Greenbrow Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester - will ultimately provide places for 750 students aged 11 to 16.
The first cohort of 140 Year 7 pupils began their education in temporary accommodation in September 2023, with a further intake supported by additional temporary facilities in 2024.
The new permanent school buildings are now open to students, with temporary accommodation removed to allow the remaining areas of the external areas to be completed over the coming months.
The scheme involved the demolition of three school blocks, full refurbishment of a retained block, and the creation of two new build extensions. These included a two-storey classroom block and a single-storey sports hall with associated facilities along Clay Lane.
Throughout the project, Morgan Sindall Construction worked closely with the Department for Education (DfE) to ensure a cost-efficient, pragmatic approach that minimised disruption to the surrounding community and to provided a new and refreshed facility suitable for the school’s educational needs. Demolition works were scheduled during school holidays, and measures such as noise, dust, and vibration monitoring were implemented to protect neighbouring residential properties and the adjacent SEND school.
Key sustainability and community impact initiatives included:
- 0.21 tonnes of carbon saved through a partnership with Rhodar and Recofloor, enabling salvaged vinyl flooring to be recycled by manufacturers Altro and Polyflor.
- Use of 63% Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel in the new build extension, saving 345 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
- Donation of 220 metres of surplus timber to Green Start, a skills programme run by Groundwork in partnership with Forest Bank Prison, providing hands-on construction training.
- Selective reuse of existing materials, including salvaged aluminium sheeting.
The design of the new academy prioritises adaptability and efficiency, supporting the school’s curriculum and organisational model while retaining elements of the DfE’s standardised approach.
Steven Gregory, North West Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are incredibly proud to have delivered Dixons Newall Green Academy, which will provide a high-quality learning environment for young people in Wythenshawe for years to come.
“This project has been about more than just constructing new buildings - it has been about working hand-in-hand with the Department for Education, the Trust, and the local community to create a sustainable, modern facility while being sensitive to our neighbours and the environment. I am particularly pleased with the team’s innovative approach to reuse and recycling, and the social value initiatives that mean the benefits of this project extend far beyond the school gates.”
Wendy Torley, Dixons’ Estates Portfolio Manager, said: “I am incredibly proud to see the transformation of the Newall Green site into a modern, inspiring learning environment for our students and the wider community. This project is not just about new buildings, it’s about creating a safe, sustainable, and welcoming space that supports high-quality education and community engagement for years to come. The new sports hall and enhanced 3G pitch will be available for community use, helping to promote activity and wellbeing for all ages.
“We are excited to see the vision for Dixons Newall Green Academy becoming a reality, providing much-needed school places and facilities that will benefit Wythenshawe for generations.”
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, Morgan Sindall has also recently completed work at Pear Tree Academy, a new SEND school in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport. It is currently on site at Star Radcliffe Academy in Bury and Newhouse Academy in Rochdale. The contractor will also soon begin work on primary schools in Liverpool and the Wirral.
