Transformation of Hollingworth Business and Enterprise College starts

Front: Year 7 pupils from the school. Background: Councillor Keith Swift; Richard Parker - Chair of Governors; Deputy Head Darren Randle; Cheryl Eastwood - Director of Children’s Services; Gerry Hanson - Carillion Director; Claire Butler – General Manager Inspired Spaces Rochdale; and Councillor Irene Davidson.

Work on building the new Hollingworth Business and Enterprise College has officially started as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme to transform the borough’s secondary schools.

Once complete, the school on Cornfield Street, Milnrow will accommodate 1200 pupils. The project at Hollingworth will completely rebuild the school and include a new theatre for dance and drama, new classrooms, modern dining area and high spec enterprise centre for ICT which will be available for use by the local community.

The school will also have lots of green credentials, harvesting rainwater for reuse in school and a combined heat and power plant to generate electricity with any excess going back to the national grid.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen added: “This is excellent news for the pupils, parents and staff at Hollingworth Business and Enterprise College. The transformation of education in our town is now well underway and this investment, alongside that of our brand new Sixth Form College, will make a huge difference to standards of education. I am really looking forward to revisiting the school once work has been completed.”

Gerry Hanson, Carillion Director, said: “Carillion are delighted to be a part of this new scheme and to play a part in the bright future for schools in Rochdale. We would also like to thank the school for their support and cooperation with all our contractors whilst planning and moving on site.”

The new school is due to open in September 2011.