Eton Star Oldham planned for Tommyfield Market
The 480-space sixth form college, a collaboration between Eton College and Star Academies, would be built on the site of the outdoor market and car park – provided it can get planning approval.
Eton Star Oldham was approved by the Department for Education last year. At the time, there was not a location in mind for the 16-19 college. That has clearly changed, with the outdoor section of the Tommyfield Market being selected as the best option.
Oldham Council will have to approve the site for the school at its September cabinet meeting. Once the site has the green light, a planning application will be in the works.
Tommyfield Market itself is in a state of flux, with the indoor portion of the market set to move into the revamped Spindles next spring. The market site will be turned into a park subsequently.
The outdoor section of the market will move later this year to another town centre location, according to Oldham Council. This will enable work to commence for the college.
“This is exciting and significant news for young people growing up in Oldham,” said Oldham Council Leader Cllr Arooj Shah.
“Having the new Eton College and Star Academies sixth form right here in the heart of Oldham town centre is an important part of our ambition to create new opportunities for our young people and give them the very best start in life,” she continued. “This means everyone gets a top-class education, whatever their background and wherever they live, and the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”
Shah praised the location of the new school in particular, calling it a “fantastic place for the college to be sited”.
She added later: “The increased footfall from the new college will in turn help local businesses. With the new-look Spindles already seeing 1,000 extra visitors every day, a modern new market on the way, and the Egyptian Rooms set to host an exciting new food hall, it’s a positive time for our work to transform the town centre.”
Eton College headmaster Simon Henderson chimed in: “Every time I am in Oldham, I am struck by the ambition of the council’s vision for the town, by the commitment of local schools and colleges to work in partnership and by the community’s belief in the transformative power of education.
“The location of the new Eton Star Oldham sixth form reflects all this, and we intend to create a civic hub which, through working with others, will help drive further opportunity for young people in Oldham and beyond.”
Sir Hamid Patel, chief executive of Star Academies, echoed Henderson’s sentiments. He added: “Securing this fantastic, central site for the college is an exciting milestone for Eton Star Oldham. We are grateful for the positive response we have had from the local communities and the schools that we’ve already started work within Oldham.”
This would make 4 colleges in Oldham Town Centre, creating a considerable amount of inactive space during the evenings and holidays. There does need to be a little bit more justification given here from a town planning perspective.
By Aaron
Disaster for Oldham town centre, hollowed out already,to many teenagers in the town already, people will shop somewhere else
By Tony
Thought it was supposed to be for housing oldham Town centre is a mess bits of work going on everywhere
By Anonymous
I find it staggering that you would add a college into one of the key sites in the Oldham Town Centre. What was it – 2,000 homes proposed in the Town Centre? Having a college has blown a huge hole in that.
By Anonymous
We already have a sixth form college and I think the public should know how many students that attend the sixth form go on to find employment and the type of employment before we start spending tax payers money on new educational building.
By Anonymous
I’ve had enough of Oldham town centre for shopping. I now go to Ashton, better shopping environment.
By Paul Wright
I thought we voted out the old council for what they had done to our town .Now let’s see what this lot can do
By Dave Roberts
Oldham is a divided town and this will make things worse!
By Mustafa Jobbar