Lights, action, integration...

LEARNING together . . . film and media students

FORMER pupils of two schools on opposite sides of the racial divide have had their first joint lessons.

Waterhead Academy opened its doors to 1,500 pupils last week in the former Breeze Hill and Counthill Schools.

The majority of Breeze Hill pupils were from Pakistani backgrounds while most Counthill pupils were white.

Students will largely be taught on the split sites until a new school opens in Waterhead in 2012.

But but a range of initiatives are taking place to integrate them, including the first joint lessons.

Around 60 pupils from both Moorside (Counthill) and Roxbury (Breeze Hill) campuses are studying three subjects together at academy sponsor Oldham College: film and media, expressive arts and foundation learning.

Academy principal David Yates said: “It is a real landmark event — it is fantastic to see the students together.

“There were no problems, just a great atmosphere, and it is the first of many joint ventures.

“These initial steps are very exciting. I believe that this is a really important stage in the development of Waterhead Academy’s learning community.

“It is clear from these early lessons at Oldham College that students really want to do well and they want to get to know each other. We are really pleased to be able to offer such innovative curriculum options thanks to the facilities that our sponsor provides.”

Reports following the Oldham riots in 2001 said that communities were living “parallel lives” and highlighted segregated schools.

Waterhead Academy is one of three academies which have opened in the borough this term in a shake-up of secondary schools.

Joint sporting trials are also being held and more than 150 boys from both campuses have taken part in a football event.

David Lancaster, vice principal Moorside, said: “What we do not want to do is put things in place that are for show, that look good but aren’t really effective. We want things that are high quality experiences for the pupils so they want to come again — it is not just coming together for no reason.”

Year 9 film and media pupil Sam Leonard, said: “Because we will all be together in the new academy building it’s good to meet people before that.”