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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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
20th December 2022 
