The Westleigh School is very much a living and evolving institution. In its most recent development, it partnered with Shaw Education Trust, a growing multi academy trust, helping to ensure that The Westleigh School continues to develop as a school for the future. Read on to discover some of the other key moments in Westleigh’s history.

The Westleigh School opened on its original site more than seventy years ago. It remained part of the Leigh schools network under Lancashire County Council until local government reorganisation in 1974, when Leigh, Wigan and several other councils were brought together under the newly created Wigan Metropolitan Borough.

In 1976, Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, the new education authority, introduced a major reorganisation of schools along comprehensive lines. Westleigh merged with Leigh Central and Leigh Girls’ Grammar School to form the new Westleigh High School. With a site stretching across almost two miles, school life was not without its challenges. However, through the combined efforts of staff and students, Westleigh High School successfully adapted to its new structure, with the Upper School based at the former Girls’ Grammar School and the Lower School located at Westleigh Lane.

The arrangement was far from ideal, with staff and students split across two sites that housed different faculties. Plans were therefore developed to create a new single-site high school at Westleigh Lane, bringing all faculties together in one location. This was a significant undertaking and was completed in three phases through a combination of new buildings and adapted facilities to accommodate the growing number of pupils.

The work included a new sports hall with changing rooms, showers and additional facilities, two science rooms, offices, music, typing and audiovisual rooms, and a new library. The old hall was converted into a drama studio, while a motor vehicle workshop was added to the craft block. Seven years after reorganisation, the school was finally united on one site.

Development continued and, in 1997, further building work took place. Four classrooms were transformed into a new resource centre containing computer rooms, a library and a conference room. Two additional science laboratories, bringing the total to six, along with preparation rooms, were also constructed. A new building, Fox Robin, replaced the RoSLA building and provided two art rooms, language rooms and accommodation for the Humanities department.

The name Fox Robin originally belonged to a nearby farm that was later purchased and incorporated into the school grounds. At one time, the land was fenced off and rented out for cattle fattening. According to former Headteacher Mr Stanhope, it was not uncommon for cows to wander around the school grounds. The millennium year saw the refurbishment of the craft block and the opening of the school as a College of Technology.

In May 2004, a new fully floodlit all-weather pitch was completed, providing the school with a year-round sports facility. The pitch also generated additional funding for the school through the Sport Development programme, which involved the local community. In April 2006, the main office, foyer and staff corridor were refurbished, including improvements to the reception area, wall displays and furniture.

Construction work resumed in 2016 with the creation of J Block to accommodate an ever-growing student population. The new building was also designed to include an Adult Learning Department and a conference room, both intended for use by the local community and organised groups.

As always, Westleigh’s commitment to continuous improvement continues, with exciting future building projects already in the pipeline. Watch this space!