Council decision paves way for EACT’s Oldham academy

The decision by Oldham cabinet will see Grange School close on August 31, 2010, and reopen the next day as an EACT Academy.

The move follows extensive consultation with parents, pupils, staff and other groups. The new academy will become a leading educational institution, offering pupils the very best modern learning environment as well as extensive out-of-school facilities for extended learning and community use.

The proposal was supported by Oldham’s councillors after carefully considering all views put forward to the council during the statutory notice period. Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families Councillor Kay Knox said: “In coming to our decision, we took into account the range of views about the proposals and the wider impact that moving forward with Building Schools for the Future and academies would have on young people’s education and on our communities.

“Each school will have a detailed plan in place taking into account its own local circumstances which will look at issues such as continuing to raise attainment, school governance and how they will support staff, as well as on how they will engage pupils, parents and others in planning and shaping their new schools so that they are facilities the whole community will be proud of.”

Over the next year EACT’s education advisers, led by Director General, Sir Bruce Liddington, and the Academy’s Principal Designate will review the curriculum and staffing structure before it opens on the existing schools’ sites in September 2010 and then on a new site in 2012.