Green light for school

Photo: Darren Robinson

SET for change . . . a new £4million primary will replace the existing school.

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GREENFIELD Primary School is to be demolished to make way for a £4million state of the art replacement.

The plan is part of works to boost the capacity of the Shaw Street primary, which include the construction of a new building on the school playing fields — in turn converting the existing school site into playing fields.

Oldham Council says it is responding to an unprecedented rise in the number of children needing primary school places in the area.

Headteacher Mike Wood said: “This is fantastic news and I’m sure pupils, parents, staff and governors will be delighted with these proposals.

“Last September we were told by Ofsted that we were outstanding in every category. We’re a growing school which can only go from strength to strength, with new facilities providing new, exciting opportunities.”

Over £13 million was made available in March last year to build a new primary school on the former Grange School site in Rochdale Road and to expand primary schools in Failsworth, Hollinwood, Saddleworth and Lees.

Work has already taken place on the expansion of three Chadderton primaries — Mills Hill, Yew Tree and Bare Trees — which can now provide a combined total of 80 new places.

The first of two phases in the extension of Oasis Limeside Primary and Oasis Academy is complete with the second phase of 30 places expected by September.

The new Greenfield Primary School will ultimately increase the school’s pupil intake from 30 to 60 a year.

Officials expect a demand for an extra 140 places in the reception year in the borough by 2017-18 which will need to be accommodated.

Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet member for education and skills, said: “I’m sure this will be great news for parents and staff at Greenfield Primary School - it will go a long way towards enabling pupils to attend the school of their choice.”