New £1.75M Sports Centre for Withington Girls’ School
Withington Girls’ School aims to further boost sports performance and participation levels through the development of a new £1.75m Sports Centre, scheduled to open next Spring.
Following the opening of its £5m Junior School and Hub two years ago, work has now commenced to transform the existing gym and sports hall into an ‘inspirational’ new amenity.
Under the remodelling and extension scheme there will be an expanded area for sports and PE, with viewing galleries; a large fitness suite; a multi-purpose ‘mind and body’ studio to promote wellbeing; and a light and airy reception and hospitality area.
Withington’s sports teams and elite athletes will benefit from these significant improvements to training facilities – but WGS Headmistress Mrs Sarah Haslam says the space will play an integral role in the School’s Health and Development Plan, providing ‘something for everyone’, including Junior School pupils whose timetable includes daily PE lessons.
As a relatively small school, Withington has always punched above its weight in terms of sporting achievement, says Mrs Haslam. Recent successes have included Year 8 and Year 9 teams becoming joint Manchester Schools Rounders Champions; Year 6 girls taking the Manchester Schools Pop Lacrosse title, the only all-girls team in the finals; and Withington teams winning the South Manchester Schools Netball League in four out of six age groups.
“In recent years, our pupils have enjoyed significant sporting success. Our current facilities, however, do not reflect the School’s sporting capability. Our vision is to transform our sports facilities in a way that will help motivate our girls to get active and stay active for life,” said Mrs Haslam.
With outstanding A-Level and GCSE results Withington is consistently recognised as the top independent girls’ school in the north of England but is also lauded for its broad extracurricular programme and active community service. Entry is selective, with entrance exams in January. Open Days are on 9th and 11th November.
