First view of Waterhead Academy

GRAND design — an artist’s impression of how the new academy would look, with five-star accommodation and underground parking

THIS is one of the new schools which Oldham is fighting to save from the Government’s axe.

Waterhead Academy promises to combine five-star hotel design with the latest technology.

The four-storey building is due to open in Huddersfield Road in 2012 and features stunning views over Strinesdale Country Park.

But its facilities which include courtyards, a roof terrace, drama and dance studios, ecology areas, sports pitches, a BMX track and underground parking are under threat.

The Government is reviewing funding to open three new academy buildings in Oldham in 2012-13 after it axed its £55 billion Building Schools programme. This aimed to refurbish or rebuild every secondary school in England — but hundreds of projects have now been cancelled or are being reconsidered.

Transform

Oldham’s three academies will still open in the existing buildings of the five schools they are replacing in September as planned. But it will be several weeks before they find out if the they will then get their state-of-the art buildings.

The Waterhead Academy will be sponsored by Oldham College and replaces Breeze Hill and Counthill schools.

It is the second of the three academy designs to be released and principal David Yates said: “It is going to transform education. The mantra is five-star hotel design with the latest technology.

“It is going to have a very professional feel to it and it is going to be an iconic building.”

The school has two wings with a terrace on the roof of the sports hall.

It also brings the outdoors inside with two courtyards and Mr Yates explained: “These will be in the centre of each wing with plants, seating and partial cover from canopies which can be retracted.

“The idea is that people need to feel the wind on their faces.”

The community will have evening access to the hall, sports facilities, performing arts and a community room, with classes such as IT and adult literacy. It is also hoped to hire out the hall for events ranging from sports presentations to weddings.

Mr Yates believes there is a “very strong” case for the new building and added: “Some of the classrooms will be so exciting that it is just going to increase the pupils’ motivation and their enthusiasm.

“Obviously a school is still based around the people who work in it and the children go there.

“But if you can do that in the best environment that’s great.”

TOMORROW: The fight to save Oldham’s new Catholic high school.