Pupils have attended secondary education in Radcliffe for the first time in more than a decade after a long-awaited new school opened its doors.
Today, Tuesday, Star Radcliffe Academy welcomed its first cohort of 150 Year 7 pupils.
The 750-place secondary school for 11-16 year-olds will admit a new Year 7 intake each year for the next five years, reaching full capacity with pupils in all year groups in September 2028.
To enable the school to open, pupils will use fully equipped temporary accommodation on the school site while construction of the permanent building is completed over the next 12 months.
The school said the temporary building has been carefully prepared, providing pupils with access to specialist facilities for subjects such as science and technology.
The school has been welcomed eagerly by the community in Radcliffe, a town which has been without its own secondary school since the closure of Radcliffe Riverside High School in 2014.
Star Academies operate 35 primary and secondary schools across England, with eight schools now in Greater Manchester.
Radcliffe Star Academy opened on Tuesday, September 3
Paul Johnson, principal of Star Radcliffe Academy, said: “Today marks an exciting milestone as we welcome pupils to Star Radcliffe Academy for the first time.
“The overwhelming interest from local families is a testament to the need for a new secondary school in Radcliffe, and we are thrilled to welcome our inaugural cohort of Year 7 pupils on the first day of their journeys with us.
“We look forward to collaborating closely with parents, families and the local community to ensure the best possible opportunities and outcomes for the young people of Radcliffe.”
The Star Radcliffe Academy site
Cllr Lucy Smith, cabinet member for children and young people at Bury Council, said: “I am delighted that we are finally able to say we have a new high school open in Radcliffe.
“I know this has been something residents of Radcliffe have been asking for and I look forward to seeing the new school grow and develop with each year.
“The temporary classrooms are all set up and ready for new pupils with their state-of-the-art facilities on track for completion next year, meaning all students at Star Radcliffe Academy will have access to excellent resources as well as high quality education.”
Applications for Year 7 places at Star Radcliffe Academy in September 2025 can be made via Bury Council’s school admissions process.
Council leader, Cllr Eamonn O'Brien, said: "I was delighted to have a look around the new Star Academy Radcliffe, which opens its doors this week to its very first intake of pupils.
"This is the first new high school to be built in our borough for decades, and this is great news for Radcliffe and its young people.
"Make no mistake, this is a crucial part of the ongoing regeneration of Radcliffe.
"It’s not just about the buildings, such as the new houses and leisure facilities that you can see are well underway.
"It’s about the people who live there. What could be more important than giving our children the best start in life with an excellent education?
"The new school will also help promote healthy living and lifestyle choices, something else which will lift up the town.
"This is why we’ve put so much effort into making this happen, working closely with Star Academies to bring a long-awaited high school to Radcliffe.
"We’ve invested millions of pounds - providing the land, paying for a new access road and sporting facilities, and supporting the school financially.
"And because we wanted the school to open this year rather than next year, we had to pay for the temporary classrooms that have now been installed and await their first students.
"I want to thank Radcliffe parents who have shown their support for the new school by applying to send their children to it.
"As a result the school is full, and 151 youngsters will be making their own piece of history when they cross the threshold this week.
"I have every confidence that this will be repeated in the next four years as the school expands to its full size.
"We wish these young pioneers the very best of luck with their studies."
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