Councillors and dignitaries have been given their first look around the near complete £7.5m Northmoor Academy. 

The new primary school, which will be run by the Harmony Trust, will open in September 2016.

The three form entry (90 children per year – 630 in total) school is being built on the site of the former Grange School, on Rochdale Road, Coldhurst. 

Extraspace Solutions are completing construction on the building and putting the finishing touches to it before officially handing over to Oldham Council.

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, said: “Northmoor Academy is really coming along and it is great to see the construction work up close – once it is finished the school will be a real asset for the borough. 

“The opening in September is fantastic news not only for local parents and families but also because it will offer places to the children of people who work in the town centre, improving our local education offer.

“With an expanding population, and new family homes being built on sites across the borough, it’s vital that we have facilities of this quality offering places for our children. 

“Thanks to the Oldham Education and Skills Commission we have high hopes for every young person, so making sure we provide the best educational environment where they can learn is essential.” 

Harmony Trust’s CEO, Sandy Dixie OBE, said: “Our core aim is to provide the best possible education for all our children. We believe that school should be a place where every child achieves and succeeds. 

“We want Northmoor Academy to make a real difference to the lives of the pupils and parents who live and work in Oldham. We look forward to working closely with the community and the council to make the academy a great success.” 

Oldham, like local authorities across the country is experiencing a rise in the number of children needing primary school places.

Research has found there will be a demand for an extra 140 places in the reception year in the borough by 2017/18 which will need to be accommodated.

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