A 'first-class' start for pupils

NORTHMOOR Academy almost complete...from left, Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Jessica Hainsworth (principal), Oldham Council leader Councillor Jean Stretton, Conor Hanratty (managing director Extra Space), Councillor Abdul Jabbar (deputy leader Oldham Council) and Barney Harle (capital works and energy manager with Oldham Council

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A NEW £7.5million primary school in Coldhurst is nearing completion for its grand opening in September.

The Northmoor Academy, on the site of the former Grange School in Rochdale Road, will accommodate 630 pupils.

The school is run by the Harmony Trust, which already operates Richmond, Alt and Westwood schools.

The school is about 90 per cent complete, with just the ground floor left to be finished on July 26.

Oldham Council's planning committee agreed to demolish the Grange School at a meeting last April.

Oldham College had been occupying some buildings on the site but vacated them last month ahead of the demolition of the former secondary school this summer.

It is large for a primary school, with three classrooms for each different year group.

The site includes a room for cookery projects, an amphitheatre and astro-turf.

The school itself will contain 20 classrooms, a hall, offices, kitchen, staff room and a practical science room as well as storerooms for PE and other equipment.

Access to the grounds will be via Kirkham Street and Alderson Street. The school was built from 96 modular units transported from Ireland.

Council leader Jean Stretton said: "It's a fantastic facility and the children who are going to be educated here will have the best possible start in life."

Amanda Chadderton, cabinet member for education, said: "It's an absolutely amazing school. It demonstrates our commitment at Oldham Council, to education as our number one priority.

"I would be thrilled if this were to be my children's school.

"The classrooms are light and bright. The facilities are absolutely first class."

The need for a new primary school in Oldham was highlighted after research found that there will be a demand for an extra 140 places in the reception year in the borough by 2017-18.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance and human resources, echoed Councillor Chadderton's sentiments.

He added: "This is the first new school in this ward for more than 90 years. I'm delighted that we found the resources to invest in this school.

"I'm doubly delighted with this site being retained for education purposes. I had a number of my brothers and sisters who went to Grange.

"They have fond and happy memories of being taught at this site.

"We regard education as a top priority for the borough. We will continue to invest in our schools to make sure the children of Oldham have the state of the arts facilities for learning."