AN OLDHAM specialist school has invested £100,000 in expanding its facilities, creating new classrooms, an ICT suite, calm rooms, a library and a new kitchen.
Chances Mentoring, an independent specialist and alternative provision based at Whitegate Business Centre in Chadderton, expanded its site over the summer ahead of the new academic year.
The school is registered to teach up to 60 pupils aged between 11 and 16.
However, it says the additional space will be used to improve the provision available to its existing pupils rather than increase its roll.
The expansion has centred around Unit Five at the business centre, which was previously used as a personal training facility.
That has now been converted to include an ICT suite, mathematics classroom, staff office, meeting room and a new staffed reception area.
Two calm spaces have also been created to provide areas for one-to-one intervention work.
Outside, a garden has been developed for emotional support sessions, while a new kitchen facility has also been installed.
The school is also introducing the Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) approach, which sees trained staff support pupils to recognise and manage their emotions so they can better engage with learning.
Elsewhere at the site, a former open-plan classroom has been divided to create a dining room and library.
A running track has also been installed alongside the school’s existing artificial pitch.
Callum Siddall, founder and director at Chances Mentoring, said: “This investment is not about increasing our headcount, it is about increasing the depth of our support.
“Our priority has always been to provide a better educational experience for the students we have, rather than expanding our numbers for the sake of income.
“We want every young person who comes through our doors to have the environment and resources they need to thrive and achieve their potential.”
All pupils at Chances Mentoring have social, emotional and mental health needs, with many also having additional diagnoses, including autism.
Places at the school are commissioned by local authorities and mainstream schools across Oldham and the wider Greater Manchester area.
The curriculum combines GCSE mathematics and English with vocational and thematic learning.
Pupils can take part in subjects and qualifications including construction, hair and beauty, sport and ASDAN.
The school was judged to be at a “strong standard” for inclusion during its first Ofsted inspection, which was published in May.
Inspectors rated achievement, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and governance at the expected standard, while also finding that the school met safeguarding requirements.
Chances Mentoring opened in January 2025 after securing registration with the Department for Education, having previously operated as an informal mentoring project.
In May, the school also passed an unannounced Joint Council for Qualifications inspection of its examination arrangements.
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