Work starts on a permanent home for Star Radcliffe Academy

The secondary school is the first in Radcliffe for over a decade, offering 750 places and operated by Star Academies – a trust which has 36 schools nationally.

The school opened last year in temporary facilities. Ahead of its new intake of Year 7 pupils this September, the temporary facilities are being extended and enhanced to provide additional space and resources, including an additional assembly and indoor activity space, a school kitchen and a new outdoor play area, as well as science labs and additional classrooms.

The construction of the permanent school building, at the site on Spring Lane, is now underway.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the start of works with Morgan Sindall staff joined by representatives from the Department for Education, Bury Council and Star Academies.

The permanent building will be a three-storey, 6,000m² building, arranged as a ‘superblock’, with extensive external works and sports provision including a new access road and drop off area to be formed as part of the works.

During the pre-construction phase, Morgan Sindall tackled challenges posed by the site’s former coal mining history, to mitigate risks of subsidence and contamination.

Designed to be net zero in operation (NZIO), the school will feature energy-efficient design, renewable energy generation, and low-carbon technologies, supporting the UK’s net-zero goals and reducing running costs.

Sustainability is further enhanced by an innovative stormwater management system, manufactured just 13 miles from site using 100% recycled, carbon-neutral materials, which reduces excavation, waste, and reliance on deep underground tanks.

Throughout construction, Morgan Sindall remains committed to minimising disruption and prioritising the safety of pupils and the local community.

Steven Gregory, area director for the North West, Morgan Sindall, said: “We’re thrilled to deliver what will be an important new school for Radcliffe and the surrounding areas. As a community minded business, we’re helping to address the vital issue of school places while building a new school that is both highly sustainable and a high-quality learning environment for local students.”

Lucy Smith, deputy leader of Bury Council said: “We are pleased to celebrate the start of construction on the new Star Radcliffe Academy building. We have been a long time fighting for a new school for Radcliffe and I am so proud to be here at this groundbreaking. This is a key part of the ongoing multi-million-pound regeneration of Radcliffe and will contribute significantly to the area.”

Paul Johnson, Principal at Star Radcliffe Academy, said: “The new building will provide an exceptional learning environment for our pupils, equipped with modern classrooms, cutting-edge technology, and excellent sports and recreational facilities. These resources will not only enhance our pupils’ education but also provide a wealth of opportunities for personal development, enrichment and future success.

“We’re looking forward to moving into our state-of-the-art facilities by September 2026, and establishing the school as a beacon of the community for today’s young people and future generations.”