Morgan Sindall is to give an old building society headquarters in Leeds a new lease of life, after being appointed by the Department for Education to deliver a new specialist Mathematics school. 

Leeds Building Society vacated the property in spring 2022 and relocated to a new head office after more than 80 years at the prominent site on the Headrow. 

The building is now set to become Leeds Mathematics School (LMaS), a specialist Post-16, A Level curriculum with an emphasis on Mathematics and maths-based subjects. 

It will be one of 11 planned regional 16 – 19 specialist maths schools, a government manifesto pledge to enable more of our most mathematically able students to succeed in maths disciplines at top universities and pursue mathematically intensive careers.  

Dan Marsh, project manager of Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We’re really excited to be giving this historic Leeds building a new lease of life. 

“Our Yorkshire team is well experienced in delivering state-of-the-art educational facilities that inspire pupils, and we look forward to providing a high-quality environment for the mathematicians of tomorrow.” 

The converted building will comprise a lecture theatre, classrooms, science laboratories, student study areas, breakout spaces, staff offices and a fitness studio. 

The school, a partnership between The GORSE Academies Trust and The University of Leeds, will open in September 2023 and employ around 28 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff for 240 students aged between 16 and 19. 

During the build programme, Morgan Sindall will work with local education providers including local primary and secondary schools, Leeds College of Building and Leeds Beckett University to offer site visits that promote the new school and the careers that can be launched from a curriculum focused on STEM. 

Central to the vision of LMaS is a desire to widen participation in A Level and degree level Mathematics for students who do not traditionally engage with this subject. 

David Holtham, executive principal at the GORSE Academies Trust, said: “We are delighted to be working with Morgan Sindall on the Leeds Mathematics School project. 

“This building will become a centre of excellence for the delivery of mathematics in Leeds and will help to inspire future generations of young mathematicians in our city. 

“We very much look forward to our first cohort of students starting with us in September.”