Investing in the future

You wait a few years for the chance to invest in the school site and buildings, and then three things come along at once…

Money is tight in education these days, and especially so at a poorly funded school like Marple Hall. I make no apology for referencing this fact on a regular basis, as the inequality in school funding really does matter and shouldn’t be swept under the carpet – which is what successive governments of different colours have always tried to do.

However, despite this, we’ve managed to keep investing in the physical spaces at MHS at regular intervals. The last ‘big’ project was the £400K refurb of the 3G pitch back in 2021, something that has pretty much already paid for itself with the increase in bookings from local sports clubs. Now, in 2025, we’re seeing the result of two major pieces of work.

Firstly, as an academy, we have been successful in securing around £1.1 million to replace the decrepit roofs in Bradshaw building along with upgrading all the internal and external doors in Isherwood. This is investment that wouldn’t ever have been possible before academisation.

Secondly, working closely with the Local Authority, we are in the final three months of a £3 million project to build a new building on site for the first time in almost 20 years. The new building will accommodate our Elements resource unit, along with small group rooms, two new changing rooms for PE and a modern new toilet facility for students. All these spaces are much needed and we are excited about getting the keys around January 2026. Not long now!

The building works are ongoing across the site at the moment, and I have been very impressed with how the students have listened to instructions and are ignoring the works completely. I expected nothing less from our very mature and sensible student body.

I am of course grateful that money exists for capital projects such as these…but I would also love for proper funding for the ‘day to day’ stuff too.

More pictures of the new build to follow when it’s finished,

Have a great weekend,

Joe Barker

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