Oldham Council today announced the proposed location for the Oasis Academy to be on the former site of Brook Mill in Hollinwood, Oldham.
Originally, the proposal for the third new academy in the west of the Borough had been Oak Colliery, however the site proved to be controversial because it would see the loss of an essential and popular area of open space, one of the few such spaces remaining in the Hollinwood area.
In the light of those considerations the new Liberal Democrat administration, following the May elections, concluded that the site should be removed as a potential site for the third academy.
The Council has considered a wide range of alternatives and has assessed site viability in great detail. In finding a new site the Council has taken into account a number of key concerns. This includes the location of the existing schools, projected pupil numbers and the availability of land in Oldham suitable for a school.
In particular, the proposed new site now means that the school and playing fields are on one plot of land and are easily accessible to pupils from both Kaskenmoor and South Chadderton schools.
The proposal is part of a wider programme to transform secondary education across the Borough, largely funded by a once in a lifetime opportunity provided by central government support from the Building Schools for the Future in.
Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Council, said: “This demonstrates how committed we are on delivering the transforming secondary education programme in Oldham. It is also a great example of public debate helping to improve a vital decision which will affect future generations of pupils and families.
”In making this decision the Council is confident they have been able to find a site which matches the needs of pupils with the demands a new location will require. After exhausting many possible alternatives we now strongly feel this is the best proposal for Oldham.”
Oldham Council’s Janet Donaldson, Executive Director for Children, Young People and Families, said: “The choice of site for the proposed new school is extremely important and we have been working hard to ensure we have the right option. The proposed site will mean we have the best possible educational facilities for our young people in a location which ensures access and choice for parents and students alike.
“The statutory consultation process taking place during the autumn will make sure interested parties can look in detail at the proposals and have information to enable them to respond.”
This important decision now makes way for the official statutory consultation starting on the 18th September and continues through to 15th November 2008.
The consultation period will ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to find out more about the proposed changes and to help shape the biggest ever investment in secondary education across Oldham.
The day before the official start of the consultation Oldham Council is holding a public event at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 17th September. This will include lunchtime, afternoon and evening presentations, and an all-day exhibition based on the extensive range of benefits education is planned to receive across the Borough.
This public event is then followed by consultations in secondary schools and drop in sessions at primary schools throughout October. This will help parents and members of the community to find out more about how the planned proposals will transform secondary education, provide the opportunity to record views in writing and online, and debate local issues.
Proposals to close Breeze Hill, Counthill, Kaskenmoor, South Chadderton and Grange schools and replace them with three new academy schools on new sites are part of Oldham’s £230 million plans to rebuild, replace or refurbish every secondary school in Oldham.
The proposed changes are aimed at providing new, modern schools and transforming education so every young person has the opportunity to gain modern skills and qualifications, and also to improve community cohesion.
Further information and consultation literature will be made available shortly, and this will include information in on the transformation of secondary education, and allow the opportunity for feedback. Additional details will also be made available online at www.oldham.gov.uk/bsf and through local media.