New £20m secondary school opens in Oldham

A new secondary school has opened its doors to its permanent home in the borough just in time for Christmas. 

Oasis Academy Leesbrook has welcomed students and staff into their new £20 million building on Roxbury Avenue, off Lees Road. 

The school was previously located in temporary accommodation on Middleton Road but now has a new, modern and purpose-built academy for its 1,500 students - aged between 11 and 16. 

The stunning school was designed by the academy staff to fit in with the existing local architecture, specifically Leesbrook Mill, to influence the overall look and feel of the building and celebrate the wonderful heritage of Oldham.

The brand new academy will primarily serve residents from around East Oldham including Clarksfield, Roundthorn, Glodwick, Lees, Holt, and Alt.

Sarah Livesey, Principal at Oasis Academy Leesbrook, commented: "This is such an exciting time for our students and staff to be in their new permanent home. The academy will provide outstanding facilities for our whole Leesbrook family and community.

“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 is 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. We are proud that our Academy is already oversubscribed since opening in 2018; this is testament to our wonderful staff and students-the building now gives the staff, students and community the facilities that they deserve.”

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

Oasis Academy Leesbrook is now located on a very large site, with the four-storey main block standing adjacent to the lower level sports hall. 

Jane Hughes, Regional Director for Northern Secondaries at Oasis Community Learning, added: "Students and staff at Oasis Academy Leesbrook have been eagerly anticipating moving into their new permanent home, which is now open. The community is at the heart of the school’s design, with education and social spaces spread across different levels to create a holistic learning and development experience.”

The local community will be invited to share the facilities, once coronavirus restrictions are lifted, and the academy say it looks forward to showing local residents the building.