Building work is said to be now “well underway” on Manchester‘s first new primary school in the city centre in almost 20 years.
After plans were first agreed back in February 2020, and Manchester City Council announced back in October 2021 that the green light had finally been given for the institution after nearly two decades without one in the city centre, things are now said to be taking shape at the brand-new 210-place Crown Street Primary School – which is located just at the end of Deansgate.
With the first pupils expected through its doors September 2024, the Council says the school forms “an important part” of the wider regeneration of the Great Jackson Street area at the southern end of the city centre.
The school will open with a 26-place Pre-School class and a 30-place Reception class, before expanding in size as those students move through the school, until it has pupils in each year group from Pre-School to Year 6.
There will also be an on-site Day Care centre for children who are younger than three.
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📰 The first new primary school in the city centre in twenty years, Crown Street Primary School will be run by the Laurus Trust and built by @Renaker_
The first pupils expected through its doors in September 2024.
The school will be nestled between two neighbouring towers, The Blade and Elizabeth Tower, as part of the wider residential development of the area by Manchester-based property developers Renaker – which is set to be made up of 6,300 high-quality new homes.
There’ll also be city centre park with a children’s play area, a medical facility, and a dental studio, as well as a variety of independent restaurants, bars, and a cookery school.
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Manchester City Council has appointed the Laurus Trust to operate the new school.
The Council’s preferred operator, and also agreed by the Department for Education (DfE), the Laurus Trust is highly-regarded for the education it provides, and already operates Didsbury High School, as well as several others across the Greater Manchester region.
Artist impression image of where Crown Street Primary School will be located / Credit: Renaker
“As more people move into the city centre and make it their home it’s really important we make sure they have the infrastructure they need to let them live their lives, whatever stage they’re at,” explained Councillor Garry Bridges – Executive Member for Early Years, Children, and Young People at Manchester City Council – ahead of the new school opening.
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“Having a good local school on their doorstep is what every family wants.
“We’re determined to make sure this is something that is also available to our fast-growing city centre community.
“With the Laurus Trust on board Crown Street Primary looks set to be a brilliant school in the heart of our city that should serve generations of families and children in the city centre for years to come.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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A Manchester City fan has died after a medical incident at Manchester derby
Daisy Jackson
A Manchester City fan has tragically passed away after a medical incident at the Manchester derby yesterday.
The club has confirmed that one of the club’s supporters died after collapsing during the match against Manchester United.
They wrote: “Manchester City are aware of the tragic news that one of our supporters passed away following a medical incident at yesterday’s match.
“The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Man City and Manchester United faced off at the Etihad Stadium yesterday, with Man United eventually taking the win thanks to a 90th-minute goal by Amad Diallo.
An eyewitness told theManchester Evening News they saw the fan being administered CPR at around 4:10pm.
People have been leaving tributes to the Manchester City fan, who has not yet been named, online.
One person wrote: “RIP that city fan. No one should go to a football match and not come home again. RIP”
Another said: “An important reminder amongst all the squabbling over yesterday’s result is that the football isn’t everything. Thoughts are with his family, RIP blue.”
Someone else posted: “Rip blue. Thoughts are with your family and friends at this sad time.”
New ‘B Plates’ introduced so drivers can identify themselves as being bad at parking
Emily Sergeant
New ‘B Plates’ have been introduced so drivers who are bad at parking can identify themselves for all to see.
Consider yourself good at parking? Well, that’s bold of you to claim… because for a lot of us, we wouldn’t be so confident to say that, and it turns out we’re not alone either, as some new research has revealed that 48% of drivers think they could benefit from more training or assistance with their parking manoeuvres.
The new B plates – with the ‘B’ standing for ‘bad parking’ – are designed to be attached to a vehicle so you can apologise to other motorists for your lack of parking prowess.
On top of the 48% of bad parkers, the research by Scrap Car Comparison found that a further one in six (17%) say they have experienced stress or worry about having to park their car, while a third of drivers (30%) say they spend extra time searching for a parking bay with free spaces either side.
New ‘B Plates’ have been introduced so drivers can identify themselves as being bad at parking / Credit: Supplied
74% of new drivers aged between 17 and 24 say they could benefit from more guidance in lessons.
Overall, one in four motorists (23%) claim that they weren’t taught well enough when it came to parking maneuverers, according to the research.
It’s hoped that the new B Plate stickers will encourage drivers to ‘own’ their parking pitfalls, the company says, as well as seek the additional guidance required to gain more confidence behind the wheel.
48% of drivers think they could benefit from more training with their parking manoeuvres / Credit: Supplied
“Just like a P plate enables new drivers to ask for patience from other road users, our B plates will give people the chance to hold their hands up, say sorry and ask for forgiveness, if they know their parking leaves a lot to be desired,” explained David Kottaun, who is the Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison.
“We hope the plates also serve as encouragement for drivers to seek additional parking guidance to build up their confidence.”
Scrap Car Comparison are offering a limited number of B plate stickers to interested drivers for free if you fill out the ‘register interest’ on its website here, and then based on interest levels, they will be made more widely available in 2025.
Emily Sergeant -
20th December 2022 
