Willmott Dixon appointed to deliver £61m School redevelopment in Wallasey

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Willmott Dixon has been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver a £61m redevelopment of The Mosslands School in Wallasey, creating a new secondary school designed to accommodate 1,500 pupils.

The scheme, located on a 19-acre site, will see the construction of a new three-storey school building and the demolition of the existing facilities once the new campus is complete. The project has been designed by Ellis Williams Architects.

The redevelopment will provide modern teaching spaces with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), alongside flexible learning environments designed to support current and future curriculum needs.

Once complete, the existing school buildings will be removed to make way for the new development.

Sports, community and external facilities

The wider site works include upgraded outdoor and community-facing facilities, including:

Two sports halls
A replacement all-weather pitch
A multi-use games area
New car parking provision
Cycle parking facilities

These elements are intended to support both school use and wider extracurricular and community activity.

Net zero carbon school design

The new campus is being delivered as Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCIO), aligning with the DfE’s sustainability requirements.

Low-carbon technologies will include photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps, forming part of the building’s operational energy strategy.

Mike Poole-Sutherland, North West Director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the DfE and The Mosslands School on this landmark new school.

“Creating a contemporary, sustainable school that will provide inspiring learning environments for up to 1,500 pupils is something we are extremely proud to be delivering.

“This new campus will benefit students, staff and the wider community for years to come and we’re pleased to be playing our part in making this happen.”

Mr Whiteley, headteacher at The Mosslands School, said: “This is a building that the students and community of Wallasey deserve. It will transform the learning environment and open up a world of possibilities for our students. It also builds on the proud history we have in providing technological excellence and we are delighted that the DfE recognises the importance of this in a modern education setting.

Equally, we are committed to ensuring that the building provides opportunity for community engagement and education and are grateful that we have been granted a building that enables us to do so.”

Dominic Williams, Project Director at Ellis Williams Architects, said: “We are delighted that our design for Mosslands will be realised for both the School and the community. We hope the wide range of exciting spaces including a dramatic central atrium, flexible theatre, sports halls and a design technology zone will provide an aspiration to all the users.”

Skills, training and local supply chain involvement

The project will also support wider skills development and employment activity during construction. Willmott Dixon and its supply chain partners will:

Support 20 T-Level students
Deliver more than 200 apprenticeship weeks
Engage with local community initiatives

The scheme was secured through the DfE Construction Framework (High Value Band Lots 1 & 2) and forms part of Willmott Dixon’s wider education portfolio, which now exceeds £700m secured through the current framework.

The Mosslands School redevelopment is expected to complete in 2028, representing a long-term investment in education provision for Wallasey and the surrounding area.