Massive £17M development underway (Middleton)

Taking shape: Work on building the £17.6M St Anne’s Academy in Middleton is underway.

Work on building the £17.6M St Anne’s Academy in Middleton is underway.

Principle Eric Jackson joined pupils, council staff, contractors and representatives from the Diocese of Manchester last week for a turf-cutting ceremony to celebrate the next stage of the massive development

Mark Davis, the Bishop of Middleton, who was given the task of cutting the first section of turf said that to reach this stage so quickly has taken a huge amount of work and dedication

“Now the project is becoming a reality and everything is taking shape… for everyone associated with the academy, and the community, this is a great occasion.”

The development, which is sponsored by the Church of England, is part of the Building Schools for the Future programme, which will see a radical transformation of secondary education in the borough.

The new academy on Hollin Lane, Middleton will accommodate 900 pupils and include the creation of new buildings together with the total refurbishment of one of the existing school blocks.

Developers have been on site since January, and with the foundations now complete, work will soon commence on erecting the steel frame said St Anne’s Principal Eric Jackson

“I am delighted that this is really happening.

“When the pupils return after their Easter holiday the structure will be beginning to take shape. All pupils are going to benefit.”