Bramhall High School – A once-in-a-generation opportunity

Equipping a new school for 1,300 students in Stockport

Bramhall High School is a thriving local authority comprehensive school of around 1,300 students, serving a uniquely diverse community in south Stockport. Our catchment is one of the most socially polarised in the country, bringing together young people from both areas of significant deprivation and relative affluence. This diversity is a defining strength of our school and underpins our inclusive ethos.

For almost sixty years, Bramhall High has been at the heart of the community. Despite operating from an ageing site with limited investment, we have consistently delivered a balanced educational experience - combining academic achievement with creativity, leadership and personal development. We measure success not only through exam results, but through the confidence, resilience and character of our students as they prepare for adult life.

Disruption, resilience and renewal

In November 2023, reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was identified across the majority of the school site, forcing the closure of much of the building. For 18 months, staff and students worked under extremely challenging conditions, largely in temporary classrooms. Despite this disruption, our school community has shown exceptional resilience. High standards of teaching and learning have been maintained, and students have continued to achieve strong outcomes. In 2024, following significant collective effort from across the community, we received the confirmation that Bramhall High was prioritised for inclusion in the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme. This will deliver a brand-new school building on our existing site - a transformative moment for our students and community.

A strong foundation - but our students and community deserve more

The new building represents a major step forward. However, the DfE funding is focused on delivering the core fabric of the school to a baseline specification. It does not provide funding for new furniture, equipment, or enhancements to key facilities. The school does not currently have the funds to invest in any new equipment or expand the design. Without additional funding, students will move into a brand-new building equipped with ageing, mismatched furniture and outdated resources transferred from the current site.

This creates several significant limitations:

• Classrooms and communal spaces furnished with outdated desks, chairs and

storage from the existing school inventory

• Limited access to modern technology to support teaching and learning

• Reduced provision in areas such as PE due to constrained changing facilities

• Restricted capacity to offer community use of facilities outside the school day

This would represent a missed opportunity - to have a new building, but not the environment needed to fully support high-quality education and community engagement.The opportunity Bramhall High already demonstrates so many attributes of an outstanding school, with a track record of strong academic and personal development outcomes. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a school environment that matches the ambition, talent and potential of our students.

With the right additional funding, Bramhall High can become:

• A modern, well-equipped learning environment that supports outstanding teaching across all subjects

• A school where students feel pride in their surroundings and a strong sense of belonging

• A hub for the local community, offering facilities for sport, learning and wider activities beyond the school day

• A centre that supports skills development, creativity and employability for young people across South Stockport

To miss this opportunity would be something we, as a community, would regret for many years to come.

The funding requirement

To fully realise this vision, we are seeking to raise approximately £650,000 from businesses, individuals and organisations willing to support this transformational project. This funding will enable us to equip the new school to a standard that matches the quality of the building and the potential of our students.

Anticipated areas of investment include:

• Classroom and communal furniture - equipping all learning and shared spaces with modern, high-quality furniture

• Technology and digital learning - providing up-to-date IT infrastructure, classroom technology and specialist equipment

• Arts and performance - investing in music, drama and creative arts facilities and equipment

• Sport and physical education - enhancing equipment and facilities to support participation, health and wellbeing

• Community and shared spaces - creating facilities that enable wider community use of the school beyond the school day

• Refurbishment of retained existing areas - upgrading one part of the current site that will remain in use

• Landscaping of outdoor spaces – developing attractive, functional outdoor spaces to support wellbeing, social interaction and community activity

Detailed costings are currently being developed and will be refined as the project progresses. We anticipate that individual elements of the project will provide opportunities for both smaller contributions and more significant investments in specific areas of the school.

Community impact

This investment will benefit not only our students, but the wider community. We intend for the new school to be a genuine community asset, supporting:

• After-school and weekend sports provision• Community groups and local organisations

• Adult learning and skills development

• Partnerships with local employers and further education providers

High-quality facilities - including improved indoor and outdoor spaces - will increase access, participation and opportunity across the local area.

How you can support

We are seeking partners who share our belief in the importance of high-quality education and strong community provision to help us raise £650,000 and play a direct role in this transformational project.

There are a range of ways to contribute, including:

• Supporting and being recognised within specific areas of the school (e.g. classrooms,

subject areas, community or outdoor spaces)

• Funding key elements such as technology, sports or arts provision

• Providing equipment, services or in-kind support

• Partnering with the school to support long-term educational and community outcomes.

• Making an individual contribution via our JustGiving fundraising campaign - and helping to spread the word within your networks.

We are keen to work collaboratively with partners and will offer appropriate recognition for contributions. We recognise that not everyone can make large contributions - but together, our community can play a vital role in achieving this goal.

A lasting legacy

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of education in our community for generations to come.

By supporting Bramhall High School, you will be helping to ensure that our students learn, grow and succeed in an environment that reflects their potential - not one limited by outdated resources.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss how you or your organisation could play a part in this transformational project.

For more information contact

fundraising@bramhallhigh.stockport.sch.uk.