New Oldham schools underway

Construction work on the new Waterhead Academy school in Oldham starts on site this week following financial close on the contract between contractor Willmott Dixon and Oldham Council.

Sponsored by Oldham College, the new school will be built on the site of the former Orb Mill, off Huddersfield Road, and is set to open in November 2012.

The new building was designed by Aedas will replace the current Waterhead Academy which comprises the Roxbury Campus and Moorside Campus, formerly Counthill and Breeze Hill schools.

The four-storey academy will boast two wings with a terrace on the roof of the sports hall as well as two courtyard areas and a community room holding classes for local residents.

There will be indoor and outdoor sports facilities provision available to all the local community including a fitness and activity studio, floodlit artificial 3G pitch, games area and hard surface areas for football, netball and tennis. There will also be additional sports facilities at the current Moorside Campus site.

Cllr Jack Hulme said: "We are absolutely delighted to sign with Willmott Dixon. From the outset our vision has been to provide inspiring buildings that will deliver the very best in secondary education. It is extremely positive news."

Anthony Langan, director at Aedas, said: "As someone who was born, grew up and lives in Oldham I am delighted that Aedas will design these exciting new academies; helping to improve the life chances of young people in the area."

Aedas will also design Oasis Academy and EACT-sponsored Oldham Academy North.