In February 2021 I achieved one of my main priorities following my election in 2019, that was to deliver on the promise of a high school for Radcliffe.

But it wasn’t just me, we did this together. 

At the time of the announcement, we had gathered 3,076 signatures to press the government to provide for a town that hadn’t had a high school since 2014, causing children to travel for miles just to be educated. 

Ever since being elected and knocking on doors in Radcliffe all I was hearing was all the stories about how children were having to get up early to travel miles to a school outside the borough or at the opposite end of the borough.

It reminded me of my own school bus journeys when I was 12 miles away and had to go down all the country roads.

The Department for Education said the new school, Star Leadership Academy Radcliffe, will provide 750 places for 750 pupils in Years 7 to 11, the knock-on effect for the borough could potentially be huge. 

As I said at the time it is the kick start Radcliffe needs.

All of a sudden you have 600 kids and potentially twice that number of parents coming through the town.

At the moment you look out at empty shops and charity shops, but this is the big impetus we need to make sure the town is thriving. That is still true today. 

Radcliffe is one of the most deprived towns within the borough and to compound this further it also has some of the lowest attainment for GCSEs and progression into higher education.

Education is fundamental to Radcliffe’s growth, its community and to its future regeneration.

It seems however the government are now dragging their feet and I can only assume now playing political games with the future of Radcliffe’s children.

First, I was essentially blackmailed by the Education Secretary at the time, Gavin Williamson, who informed me in no uncertain terms that if I didn’t vote a certain way then Radcliffe would lose the school. 

Now there is little to no communication on when the school maybe ready or if there will be any knock-on costs due to the rapid rise in inflation. 

There was an ambiguous update given in November but neither the council, councillor nor I have been made aware of any significant progression to the school's construction.

As far as we know It is due to be constructed and ready to be in use for September 2024.

However, I have written to the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan to demand answers. 

Radcliffe is in desperate need of a school and Radcliffe was promised a school.

Therefore, I would ask you to all join the campaign, regardless of where in Bury that you live, to ensure Radcliffe gets what it was promised, and the government know we are serious. 

You can sign the petition at https://www.labournorthwest.co.uk/radcliffe-wants-its-high-school/