Special school in academy move

New Bridge will be first in region

NEW Bridge will be the first special school in the North-West to become an academy.

The school opened in 2005 and has 304 pupils aged from 11 to 19 with a wide range of behavioural, physical, sensory and communication difficulties.

The main building is in Hollinwood and older pupils attend a learning centre in Fitton Hill.

It received the top “outstanding” grade in its latest Ofsted inspection last November and head teacher Graham Quinn said: “Becoming an academy gives us more flexibility to continue with the innovations that New Bridge has developed over a number of years.”

These include the Bridging the Gap project with the Royal Oldham Hospital and Manchester Metropolitan University. Pupils undertake placements in various departments of both organisations.

Another initiative has been opening the school 48-weeks a year.

Headteacher Graham Quinn said; “Becoming an academy gives us the ability to make quick decisions.”