Contractor for £71m academies job named

How the airy and spacious new Oasis Academy could look in Hollinwood — developers Willmott Dixon will start work in September

Council chooses Oldham firm

Oldham Council has chosen Willmott Dixon, one of the country’s largest privately-owned construction companies, to build three academies.

Work will start in Hollinwood in September.

The contract promises local jobs and educational and work-experience placements for local people.

The £71 million development contract begins with the Oasis Academy, sponsored by Oasis Community Learning, at the Brook Mill site, replacing South Chadderton and Kaskenmoor schools.

It should open in July, 2012, and the building programme also includes two more academies. Waterhead Academy, sponsored by Oldham College, at the Orb Mill site, will replace Counthill and Breeze Hill schools.

Oldham Academy North, sponsored by E-ACT, the Edutrust Academies Charitable Trust, will replace Grange School which moves to the site of Our Lady’s, Royton.

Willmott Dixon is experienced in major education and healthcare projects, and its northern office is at the Albert Mill, Hollinwood. Oldham Council said that sealing the contract was a hugely important milestone and key building block in transforming education on Oldham.

Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm the appointment of Willmott Dixon to deliver Oldham’s academies programme.

“As an Oldham-based company, they are uniquely positioned to understand the boroughs commitment to regeneration. This has been a long and extremely thorough selection process and we set some very tough criteria for the bidders.

“Not only did we push them to commit to using local labour and firms, we also asked for educational and work experience opportunities for the young people of Oldham.

“Willmott Dixon will invest 40 per cent of the academies’ budget within Oldham, providing local employment and training.

“This will also include work-experience placements, on an annual basis, providing pupils with development opportunities across a wide range of professions including graphic design, quantity surveying and structural and civil engineering.”