Academy’s big signing

PLANS for the new Oldham Academy North have reached a significant milestone with the appointment of a contractor.

Oldham Council has signed a formal deal with Hollinwood-based Willmott Dixon to deliver the ambitious scheme.

The school, sponsored by E-ACT, will be built on the site of the current Our Lady’s School in Royton and is set to open in Easter, 2013.

The iconic new building will replace the current Oldham Academy North building on Rochdale Road.

The three-storey Academy will boast two wings with a central agora space that will be used for performances, briefings and lectures. It will boast state-of-the-art teaching facilities and members of the local community will be welcome into the Academy.

Proposals also comprise indoor and outdoor sporting provision available to all the local community — including a dance studio, floodlit artificial pitch, four basketball/tennis courts, and two grass training football pitches, plus a dedicated cricket facility.

Councillor Hugh McDonald said: “We are absolutely delighted to have sealed this agreement with Willmott Dixon.

“As with our other Academy school projects our vision for the Oldham Academy North is to come up with an inspirational learning environment that will offer the very best in secondary education opportunities for local children and help to raise their aspirations and attainment.

The Oldham Academy North will also provide important facilities for the local community and the signing of this contract is extremely positive news.”

The school is one of three new Academies for Oldham which Willmott Dixon — one of the UK’s leading construction companies — was selected to build in March, 2010.