Signing of the Steels at the new Brian Clarke C of E Academy

We recently welcomed a whole host of very special guests to a “signing of the steels” ceremony at the new Brian Clarke C of E Academy site at Bloom Street in the centre of Oldham.

The (now former) Mayoress Jennifer Harrison was joined by two of our brand new students who will be part of the first cohort to join the school, which is part of the Oldham-based Cranmer Education Trust, in September. Additionally, members of the new staff body and current sixth formers from The Blue Coat School, which is also part of the Cranmer Education Trust and will be the natural progression for Brian Clarke students, joined in the ceremony.

They were all welcomed on site by the school’s Headteacher Allison Ash, Cranmer Education Trust CEO Julie Hollis and the site manager Andy Beale from Oldham-based main contractor Willmott Dixon.

The signing of the steels has become part of the tradition of marking the celebration of a brand new building, along with “topping out” when the last brick or tile of a more traditional building is laid.

Former Mayoress Jennifer Harrison said:

“I congratulate everybody on, the fantastic progress that’s been made! I really hope you’ll invite me to the opening and I really look forward to seeing the finished product and young people having a fantastic education. And we’ve all been part of history today, haven’t we? Our signatures are part of the fabric of the new school!”

Headteacher Allison Ash added:

“Its been such a lovely ceremony, and to have the Mayoress as well as one of the first students and members of staff being made part of the history of this brand new school is amazing. We are so pleased that the school has proved so popular, with close to 700 applications. All 240 places have been offered and accepted and our admissions policy has worked so well. We really are going to see a student population that is a reflection of the town and borough”.

September 2022

The Brian Clarke C of E Academy will open in a new, temporary school building situated on the site of The Blue Coat School in September 2022 with the move to our permanent home taking place in the spring of 2023.

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