Archbishop breaks first ground for new CE secondary school in York

Dr Sentamu arrived at the present Manor School in Low Poppleton Lane to be greeted by Headteacher Brian Crosby; students, staff and parents of the school; representatives of architects Morgan Lloyd Jones and main contractors Wates Construction; and representatives of the York Diocesan Board of Education and City of York Council.

The party walked the short distance to Millfield Lane where Wates Construction presented the Archbishop with a shovel and Mr Crosby invited him to make the first cut and bless the site.

On returning to the present school buildings the Archbishop and other visitors viewed a display of plans and artist's impressions of the new premises.

The new school building on Millfield Lane will provide spacious, modern, flexible and environmentally sustainable premises which will enable the acclaimed school to expand, both in the numbers of students and in the facilities made available to the local community outside school hours.

The present complex at nearby Low Poppleton Lane opened in 1965 to accommodate 350 pupils: it has been extended to serve 669 today, and the new buildings will enable the school to enrol 900.

The result of five years' work (to date) by the York Diocesan Board of Education and the Governing Body of Manor School in close co-operation with City of York Council, the new site and premises for Manor School will make a major contribution to the life of the whole community on the west side of York.

The new building will meet the latest standards in disability access and energy conservation and support Manor's role as a specialist Performing Arts College.

In addition it will accommodate over 200 more students than the present school.

The design is for a building that will play an important part in the life and affections of those who use it, and in which learning can extend beyond the academic into personal growth and social development.

Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, said, "A school is a vital living community. There are few more important tasks than building a school, whether you are planning it, designing it, constructing it or working in it as a student or staff member to give it life. I pray that this superb new building will make a real difference to the school as it seeks to serve those who live around it or come to experience its outstanding care and nurture."

Brian Crosby, Head Teacher, said, "We aim to provide exciting learning in a distinctively Christian atmosphere. I am delighted that the school will be able to provide more places to meet the growing demand for education in a church school. The new facilities will enable the students to be educated in the most up-to-date classrooms in the country and will relieve some of the significant pressure on the accommodation. I would like to thank the York Diocesan Board of Education for their backing of the school in applying for the Targeted Capital Grant."

Dr Ann Lees, York Diocesan Director of Education, said, "It's a great pleasure and relief to see work starting on the new Manor School after so many years of planning. Today's ceremony is a sign of the unity between the Church, the Council, the community and so many others who have worked to extend the reach and capacity of this outstanding school. It will be exciting to watch the building take shape over the coming months, but even more exciting to watch Manor School renew itself as a learning community that will touch many lives on this side of York."

Cllr Carol Runciman, the City's Executive Member for Children's Services, said, "This marks the start of an important project for the young people of York. Manor School has been very successful despite the limitations of its present site and the new building will make a big difference. I have been very pleased to have had the opportunity to work in partnership with the school and the diocese as plans for the new school have developed and I am looking forward to seeing the building grow as work gets under way. It is good to have the Archbishop of York here to mark this event and I wish everyone involved, including the building team and the staff and students all the very best."