The superstructure steelwork for Star Salford Academy is going up. Credit: Wates

Star Salford Academy on track for 2023 opening

Construction work by Wates is under way for Star Salford Academy off Longshaw Drive in Little Hulton.

Wates Construction has begun erecting the superstructure steelwork on the six-acre site, which has been vacant since Hulton High School was demolished in 2009.

Star Salford Academy is being delivered through the four-year Department for Education Modern Methods of Construction Framework. The project is part of the Department for Education’s Free Schools Programme. Star Academies, a multi-academy trust, will operate the school.

In total, 750 pupils will be able to study at the Sheppard Robson-designed secondary school. In addition to teaching spaces, there will also be a hard-court multi-use games area, an all-weather pitch and a sports hall facility.

In total, the two-storey building will comprise 62,000 sq ft. Wates is aiming to complete the construction works in time for the start of the 2023-2024 academic school year.

CGI showing what the finished school will look like. Credit: Ares Landscape Architects

Work on the school is being delivered alongside an adjacent Seddon development of 180 homes. Both family-owned businesses are celebrating their 125th anniversary this year. Together, Seddon and Wates will be delivering a comprehensive social value plan to help regenerate the area.

“This school and the adjacent housing scheme have the potential to transform the Little Hulton area,” said Dave Saville, managing director of the North for Wates.

“The construction industry has a huge role to play in supporting the government’s levelling up agenda and regeneration projects such as this are the perfect example of where we can create opportunities, from providing more modern education environments to boosting the provision of housing for the local community.”

Planning permission for Star Salford Academy was secured in January. The project team included Avison Young and Ares Landscape Architects.

Star Salford Academy is the eighth project Wates has taken on for Star Academies, which runs more than 30 schools nationwide.

The Department for Education has also appointed Wates to build a series of schools that are net zero in operation.

In total, Wates is currently constructing spaces for more than 5,000 pupils across the North West.

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