A First for Platt Bridge

Wigan Council leader Peter Smith and 'headteacher-to-be' Susan Darbyshire are pictured on site at Platt Bridge First.

Photocall: 17th March, 9.45am, Liverpool Road, Platt Bridge, Wigan

Future headteacher Susan Darbyshire and Wigan Council Leader Peter Smith are among the guests of construction firm Conlons next Friday (17th Match, 9.30am) on the site of 'Platt Bridge Community First' - the chosen name for the borough's first 'extended school'.

Platt Bridge Community First is a 'state-of-the-art' £13 million development that will become home to Platt Bridge Community School, a library, children's and families' centres, a housing office and community health centre.

Conlons will give a progress report to the various partner organisations involved in the scheme - Wigan Council, Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, and Wigan & Leigh Housing - and to Makerfield MP Ian McCartney and local ward councillors.

Platt Bridge Community Primary School will open in the autumn, with Ashton, Wigan & Leigh Primary Care Trust's health centre scheduled for completion in summer 2007.

Note to editors

Photographers are invited to attend a photocall on site on Friday 17th March, 9.45am.
For more information, please contact Andy Donnelly (Wigan Council) on 01942 828145 or Chris Dunbar (Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust) on 01942 486937.
Additional contacts for further information: Sue Darbyshire, Headteacher - 01942 832299; John Parkinson, Ashton, Wigan & Leigh PCT - 01942 772728.
Platt Bridge Community First is:

Platt Bridge Community Primary School, a merger of nearby Low Hall and St Nathaniel's;
SureStart children's centre, with 'wrap-around' nursery, and full day care and baby unit;
Family support centre, with assessment areas for family and child welfare;
Dedicated children's library, operated jointly by the school and Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust;
Public library and information centre; and
Community health centre, including GPs surgeries, pharmacy and a wide variety of health services.