Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham Officially Opens Harper Green’s New Construction Hub
Wednesday, 15th October 2025
[Image: The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, with Headteacher Sally Heppenstall and members of the Harper Green School community, including some of the first cohort of Construction students.]
On Wednesday, 15th October 2025, we celebrated the official opening of our new Construction Hub, a dedicated facility designed to equip students with the practical skills and experience needed for future careers in one of the region’s key industries.
The opening was marked by a visit from the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, who met students and staff before cutting the ribbon to officially launch the new space. During his visit, the Mayor spoke about the importance of creating clear pathways for young people into high-quality, well-paid careers and highlighted construction as one of Greater Manchester’s fastest-growing sectors with exciting opportunities for the next generation.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said, “It’s a proud day for Harper Green and for Farnworth. What the school is doing here, with the support of the Trust, is exactly what we want to see across Greater Manchester, giving every young person a clear line of sight from school into high-quality, well-paid careers. Construction is one of our fastest-growing sectors and the skills students will develop here will open doors to fantastic opportunities in the years ahead.”
The new Construction Hub will host lessons for the Vocational Award in Construction and the Built Environment (Technical Award), a hands-on qualification introduced this year that broadens Harper Green’s curriculum and gives students a direct route into careers in the construction industry.
Headteacher Sally Heppenstall said, “This is an exciting moment for our school and community. The launch of our new Vocational Award in Construction and the Built Environment gives our students the chance to develop practical, hands-on skills in areas such as bricklaying, electrics and plumbing, skills that are in high demand both locally and nationally.
By introducing this qualification, we’re ensuring our curriculum reflects the needs of the local labour market and provides our young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed beyond school.”
A special thanks to Robertson Construction and Selco Builders Warehouse for their generous donations of materials, which have supported the launch of the new course and helped students gain valuable hands-on experience.