Oldham College could be set for improvements after it was confirmed it will receive nearly £1.5m in funding. Last week, the Department for Education announced £56m in funding to go towards repairing and maintaining buildings on college campuses in the North West. Now, it has been revealed that Oldham College could see upgrades made at the site thanks to a sizeable allocation of funds. According to government figures, Oldham College is set to receive £1,406,276 in funding to go towards improvement works. Colleges will be given the flexibility to decide how the funding is spent so it can be directed where it is needed most. Oldham College was approached for comment.
Oldham College students visited the Northern Roots site to witness construction of a £12.9 million visitor centre and forest school. The visit was part of Open Doors 2026, showcasing construction careers. Students toured the site, met the team, and heard from Ryan Ormonde, senior build manager at Willmott Dixon. Councillor Abdul Jabbar encouraged students to stay focused and aim high. The Northern Roots project will transform 160 acres into the UK's largest urban farm and eco-park, including a visitor centre with cafe, shop, and learning facilities. Construction began in June 2025 with an autumn 2026 opening planned.
Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Primary School in Chadderton has become the first school in Oldham to achieve asthma friendly status. The school partnered with Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust to create a safer environment for pupils with asthma. The accreditation required appointing an asthma champion and lead, developing a full asthma policy, ensuring staff complete asthma training, introducing emergency asthma kits, and establishing a full school asthma register. Victoria Abbott, an asthma nurse specialist, praised the school's proactive approach, while headteacher Helen Williamson credited the achievement to a team effort led by Mrs Bamber.
Springhead Infant and Nursery School in Oldham has been graded as a 'strong standard' by Ofsted in its latest inspection. The report praised the school's 'high quality' education and 'joyful' atmosphere, with pupils describing it as a happy place where they feel safe. Inspectors highlighted that pupils are 'confident, skilful' learners benefiting from a curriculum 'rich in stories and books' that excites them about learning. The school's disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) progress 'very well' through the curriculum. Teachers' subject knowledge and understanding of how to help pupils retain important knowledge in their long-term memory was also commended. The executive headteacher expressed pride in the outcome, noting it reflects the hard work of the whole school community.
Reception pupils at Richmond Academy in Coldhurst participated in a gardening session on March 23, 2026, organized by First Choice Homes Oldham. The children learned 'no dig gardening' techniques, which improve soil health by laying cardboard over weeds, adding compost, and planting on top. FCHO's neighbourhood care team donated £150 for compost and flowers including pink kisses and pansies. The session was part of FCHO's community support scheme following the £20 million West Vale development. Construction manager Jamie Smith and environmental services operative Adam Graham guided the children in planting flowers in raised beds built by FCHO and Caddick.
Ofsted has rated Supreme Start, an independent school in Royton, Oldham, as needing 'urgent improvement' in all areas after finding pupils were at 'significant risk'. The report said pupils were not safe, staff lacked expertise to support them or manage behaviour, and there was an 'overreliance' on 'restrictive physical interventions'. Pupils found school 'stressful and confusing', with significant gaps in knowledge due to a 'poorly' organised curriculum. Attendance was poor, registers were incorrect until recently, and a 'culture of low expectations' had taken root. Headteacher Rachael Martin said the school has voluntarily closed to implement a 'comprehensive improvement plan' focusing on safeguarding, learning environment, and staff practice, and is awaiting Department for Education approval to reopen.
Oldham Council has launched a new online tool designed to improve links between schools, colleges, and businesses. The BREE platform, which stands for Brokering Relationships Employers and Educators, is designed to "bridge the gap between local employers and educators" according to the council. Councillor Mohon Ali, cabinet member for education and skills, and Councillor Fida Hussain, cabinet member for enterprise, said: "By using BREE we can connect our local education providers with the businesses that shape Oldham's economy in a more coordinated and accessible way. We're creating meaningful opportunities for our young people while making it easier for organisations to share their expertis
Oldham Council and Oldham College have launched the '100 Apprentices in 100 Days' challenge on 21 May 2026 to create 100 new apprenticeship roles for young people across the borough. The initiative supports the national Youth Guarantee and aims to help students transition from education to careers without leaving Oldham. Employers of all sizes and sectors are being encouraged to participate, with financial support and Foundation Apprenticeship options available. Cllr Mohon Ali and Oldham College Principal Simon Jordan emphasized the importance of developing local talent and supporting business growth. The campaign will run until exam results day, with employers able to contact the Employer Engagement Team at Oldham College for more information.
Oldham primary schools have said they are "delighted" to receive funding to offer new nursery places to children in the borough. Theresa's RC Primary School, Beever Primary School, South Failsworth Community Primary School, Rushcroft Primary School and St John's Church of England Primary School have been included in the expansion of a government scheme to fund nurseries. The funding means new nursery places will be offered at the schools to help more parents get back to work. Now, some of the Oldham schools have been sharing their delight at being named in the scheme. Linda McCombe, headteacher at St Theresa's RC Primary School, said: "We are delighted that we are able to increase the number
Five Oldham primary schools will receive funding for new nursery places as part of a £45 million government scheme to help families with childcare costs. The schools benefiting are Beever Primary School, Rushcroft Primary School, South Failsworth Community Primary School, St John's Church of England Primary School, and St. Theresa's BC Primary School. This expansion is part of a wider programme that will create over 6,000 new childcare places across 331 schools nationwide. The government says 30 hours of funded childcare will save parents an average of £8,000 per year per child. The scheme aims to target areas with greatest need, with councils taking over from May.
Teachers at St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic High School in Rochdale have announced nine additional strike dates over concerns about workload and pupil behaviour. NASUWT members began striking on February 24 and most recently on March 12, citing an 'unsafe and chaotic working environment'. The school's trust, St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust, says it remains committed to negotiations and has kept Year 11 pupils on site for GCSE preparation. Union representative Rachel Knight stated members feel unsafe and lack confidence in management. The strikes will proceed unless a resolution is reached.
In recent months, major decisions have been made which will see the creation of new schools in Oldham, with some existing schools also being extended to provide more places. More children in the borough are set to have greater options for their education, whether they are mainstream or specialist provisions. The Oldham Times has looked at the future schools set to open in the borough, as well as schools which will be offering more places. Back in December last year, the government formally gave the greenlight to the plans which will see the famed Eton College open an academy at the current Tommyfield Market site, more than two years after the plans were first put forward. The proposal has be
An after-school club called Squirrels at St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Shaw, Oldham, has been inspected by Ofsted and received 'expected standard' ratings across four key areas. The January inspection found children develop 'can-do' attitudes, show confidence, and build secure relationships with staff. Children eagerly engage in activities and proudly display their artwork. The report praised the nurturing environment where children feel safe and behave well. Headteacher Pam Hartley welcomed the recognition of the club's high-quality care. Ofsted recommended enhancing daily routines to strengthen independence skills and targeting professional development more precisely for staff.
Children across Oldham are celebrating World Book Day 2026 by dressing up as characters from fiction. Schools throughout the borough are participating in the annual event, which aims to promote reading for fun among children of all ages. The World Book Day initiative emphasizes that reading enjoyment is the biggest indicator of future success and happiness for children. Currently, only one in three children enjoys reading, and the campaign seeks to change this by making reading appear fun, entertaining, and social.
E-ACT, the multi-academy trust running The Oldham Academy North and Royton and Crompton Academy, has been shortlisted for four national awards in the MAT Excellence Awards 2026. The trust is nominated for MAT of the Year, Environmental Trust of the Year, the SEND Award, and the Staff Development Award. CEO Tom Campbell said the nominations reflect staff dedication and pupil support, with Oldham schools at the heart of their communities. Winners will be announced on Thursday, June 18 at the Royal National Hotel in London, hosted by broadcaster Jason Mohammad.
A specialist school for children with special educational needs is set to open in Oldham this spring in a Grade-II listed building on Wellington Road. Horizon Care and Education Group is refurbishing the former Hulme Grammar School kindergarten to create Thornycroft School, which will educate up to 70 pupils aged 5-19 with autism, ADHD and social, emotional and mental health needs. The three-storey building will feature eight classrooms, breakout areas for therapeutic support, and outdoor facilities. The refurbishment is expected to be completed by late spring, subject to Department for Education approval. The building previously served as Oldham Hulme Grammar School's Nursery and Infant School before becoming Thornycroft Prep School, which was sold off last year when the kindergarten was deemed 'no longer financially viable'.
Baasit Siddiqui, known from Channel 4's Gogglebox, visited The Oldham Academy North as an E-ACT multi-academy trust trustee. During his tour, he met staff and students, learned about social clubs and a recent Thailand trip, and heard from the school council. Interim headteacher Natalie Kennerley welcomed him to experience 'a day in the life' at the academy. Siddiqui praised the school's balance of effective systems and teacher empowerment, noting the clear sense of collaboration and pride throughout the building.
Year six pupils in Oldham learned their secondary school placements on March 2, 2026. Most received their first choice, but parents can legally appeal if refused. Appeal forms are available on Oldham Council's website with a deadline of April 10. Hearings will occur during the week of July 13, within 40 school days of timely applications. Appeals are conducted online via Microsoft Teams unless parents notify otherwise. The independent panel of three to five members, plus one layperson, reviews whether admission policies were followed and if admitting another child would strain resources. Decisions are final, with one appeal allowed per school annually. Four schools - Saddleworth, Blue Coat Academy, Brian Clarke Academy, and Radclyffe School - handle their own appeals.
Woodlands Primary School in Oldham has received planning approval for a single-storey extension to increase places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The extension will provide extra teaching space to meet rising demand for specialist provision and enhance the learning environment for existing students. The school, located on Broadbent Road near Oldham Community Sports Club, received no objections from residents or consultees. Environmental conditions require a landfill gas risk assessment and contaminated land investigation due to the site's proximity to a former landfill. United Utilities requires a detailed drainage strategy with sustainable surface water management. Several trees will be removed but replaced on the wider school grounds.
Teachers at St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic High School in Rochdale, attended by Oldham students, will strike for nine days over workload, pupil behaviour, and alleged unsafe working conditions. NASUWT members began industrial action on February 24, with the school closing to Years 7-10 pupils while Year 11 students attend for mock exams. The trust running the school claims it has addressed concerns and will continue dialogue, while the union says staff feel unsafe and pupils are being failed. Strikes are scheduled in three rounds through March 12.