Groundbreaking marks start of work at landmark new Radcliffe school
Work has begun on Morgan Sindall Construction’s latest education project in Greater Manchester.
Star Radcliffe Academy is a five-form entry, 750 place, 11-16 secondary school. It is operated by Star Academies, one of the UK’s highest performing multi-academy trusts, with 36 schools nationally.
The school opened in September 2024 in temporary facilities. Ahead of its new intake of Year 7 pupils in 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.
Star Radcliffe Academy is the first new secondary school in Radcliffe in over a decade, helping to address the demand for school places in the area.
During the pre-construction phase, Morgan Sindall used its Intelligent Solutions approach to tackle challenges posed by the site’s former coal mining history, mitigating risks of subsidence and contamination. The foundation design incorporates ground stabilisation and vibro piling, ensuring a stable base while significantly reducing carbon impact by minimising concrete use.
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.
As part of our delivery of this project, we look forward to undertaking social value initiatives that enhance the local community, ensuring the Star Radcliffe Academy will benefit the area long before completion.”
Councillor Lucy Smith, Deputy Leader of Bury Council and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:
We are pleased to celebrate the start of construction on the new Star Radcliffe Academy building. We have been a longtime 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.
The academy has already proved a popular choice among local families and will provide much-needed high school places with excellent facilities, giving our young people the opportunity to thrive.”
Paul Johnson, Principal at Star Radcliffe Academy, said:
We are delighted with the pace at which construction is progressing on our permanent home and it is incredibly exciting to see our vision for Star Radcliffe Academy becoming a reality.
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.”
Morgan Sindall recently completed work at Pear Tree Academy, a new SEND school in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport and is currently on site at Dixons Newall Green Academy in Wythenshawe and Newhouse Academy in Rochdale.
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