Groundbreaking ceremony held as construction of Oldham’s newest secondary school begins.

Students from Oldham, teachers, representatives of Oldham Council and the Department for Education, architects and construction leaders joined together today to officially mark the beginning of the construction of Oldham’s newest secondary school.

Building work began on the permanent home of Oldham’s newest secondary school Oasis Academy Leesbrook, opened in September last year, on the former Breeze Hill School site on Roxbury Avenue off Lees Road in Oldham.

The Academy’s first cohort of students aged 11 - 13 helped workers with ‘spades in the ground’ to commence the construction of their new school, which is scheduled for completion in time for the new school year in September 2020.

In a short speech, Oasis Academy Principal Sarah Livesey spoke of how grateful the school community is to all those who have come together to reach this moment, and that the Academy will be a place of growth and learning for futures leaders and role models who will make a positive contribution to the town of Oldham.

Students Ayo, Kenadi, Iqra and Daniel also spoke of their excitement for the new buildings to be complete, and that the academy will be a place of harmony, friendship and respect.

Principal Sarah Livesey added, “Oasis Academy Leesbrook is a school that is passionate about providing the very best for our families, our community, and our wonderful students who are our pioneers and the future of this community.”

“This building will be one small part of us delivering on our promise to do our best for this community by providing an inspiring, engaging and caring educational environment in which our students can flourish.”

Cllr Sean Fielding, Oldham Council Leader, said: “We made a commitment to our residents that major improvements and investment will take place in our schools. So, to see building work taking place at Oasis Academy Leesbrook is fantastic news for the area, as it is one of many examples of how Oldham is investing into improving the education and lives of our children and young people.”

Jim Parker, Managing Director of Galliford Try North West, commented: “We are delighted to have been involved as part of the team which brought this project to fruition, and we look forward to delivering an education facility of the highest quality while ensuring a lasting legacy through social value and community initiatives.”

Catherine Mulley, Director at Pozzoni Architecture stated, "Commencing the delivery phase of this scheme, to provide a truly exceptional facility for the pupils of Oldham, is really exciting. The new school benefits from being located on a very large site, with the four-storey main block standing adjacent to the lower level sports hall. In addition, the sports pitches, multi-use games area and playground will be accessible to the local community, which is great for the wider health and wellbeing benefits of the residents across the neighbourhood.”

“This scheme continues our ongoing relationship with Galliford Try in the education sector with Vanguard School, for the National Autistic Society via the Department for Education, also progressing and due for completion next year."