St Anne’s Academy - preferred bidder chosen

Rochdale Council has chosen a preferred bidder to construct the new St Anne’s Academy in Middleton.

Following a 12-week detailed evaluation process with the final two bidders, the Council has announced that Willmott Dixon will begin construction of the £16 million Academy on the Queen Elizabeth High School site in January 2009. Completion is expected by September 2010.

The new Academy will be built within the current school grounds, whilst pupils remain in the former Queen Elizabeth buildings.

Terry Piggott, Executive Director of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This is very good news. Through our “Building Schools for the Future” programme there will be at least one new school in each township.

“St Anne’s will be the first to be completed - providing excellent facilities for local youngsters.”

St Anne’s Academy is sponsored by Anne and David Crossland and The Church of England Diocese of Manchester.