Plans to create up to 300 additional secondary school places in Altrincham have taken a significant step forward with the appointment of a contractor to oversee the next phase of the project.
Trafford Council has appointed construction firm Tilbury Douglas to work on the proposed expansion of North Cestrian School into the former Loreto Preparatory School site.
The council announced in August that it had purchased the neighbouring site, paving the way for the school to expand and help meet growing demand for secondary school places in the area.
Tilbury Douglas has now been appointed under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA), which will see the company work with Trafford Council, Hamblin Education Trust and the design team to develop the scheme ahead of the construction phase.
The proposed expansion would allow North Cestrian to accommodate up to 300 additional pupils, helping more Altrincham children secure places at a local secondary school.
Cllr George Devlin, Trafford Council's Executive Member for Babies, Children and Young People, welcomed the progress.
"I am delighted that the project has moved on swiftly with the appointment of Tilbury Douglas on the PCSA phase of the scheme.
"This is an excellent project which will help make sure more of our local children can go to an Altrincham school and get them the best start in life - one of our main corporate priorities."
Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, added: "We are totally committed to the education of our young people and this scheme will mean more secondary school places in Altrincham.
"This is majorly important and our schools are, quite rightly, extremely popular."
The former Loreto Prep site is adjacent to North Cestrian School, which is operated by Hamblin Education Trust and is now in its 10th year as a free school.
Tim Gartside, the trust's chief executive, said: "From the beginning, we have shared with Trafford Council the vision of ensuring that the former Loreto Prep School site should remain as a site for the education of Altrincham children.
"As North Cestrian School begins its 10th year as a free school we look forward to working with the Council during this exciting phase of growth so that all children from Altrincham can attend a local and highly successful school."
The project follows efforts by Trafford Council and local secondary schools to increase capacity for September 2026, with 76 additional places secured in the Sale and Altrincham areas and a further 85 across other Trafford high schools.
Kabir Salihi, Tilbury Douglas's North West Regional Director, said the company was looking forward to helping deliver the expansion.
"During the PCSA phase, we will bring that experience to the project, working closely with the Council, Trust and design team to develop a thoughtful, deliverable solution that creates much-needed secondary school places and supports the school's next chapter of growth."
The council has not yet announced a timetable for construction or when the additional school places are expected to become available.
