'Bespoke' Oldham autism school can expand for second time in six months

Town hall bosses have agreed the second expansion in six months of a school for children with autism to meet ‘significant pressure’ for places.

Oldham’s cabinet has agreed to spend £300,000 from the basic needs funding pot to increase the number of classrooms at Hollinwood Academy, on Roman Road.

When it opened in 2015 the school was originally expected to cater for around 50 pupils, but officers predict by September there will be more than four times that, with 215 attending the school.

The ‘bespoke’ school was designed to offer ‘state-of-the-art specialist provision’ for pupils aged four to 19 who have autism or social communication needs.

The latest investment comes on top of £390,000 which was signed off in February for four new classrooms.

With the new funding, in total eight new classrooms will be provided at the academy.

Hollinwood Academy, Roman Road, Oldham (Google)

According to the report by Andy Collinge, head of school support services, the additional increased pressure on places is a result of parental choice and also an increase in the number of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) where the school is named as the preferred provider.

Cabinet member for education and skills , councillor Shaid Mushtaq said: “The school did receive some funding in February 2019 to the amount of £390,000 but it later became apparent that that won’t meet the need.

“It is the only bespoke education provision.”

The school is run by the Newbridge Trust, and was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in July last year.

Council leader Sean Fielding added that it delivered an election pledge to expand the number of places at ‘good or outstanding’ rated schools in the borough.

Planning permission has already been granted for the earlier extension by the authority.

It would fill the gap between the existing Hollinwood Academy school building and fellow special secondary school New Bridge Academy which sits alongside.

A secure playground area would also be created outside, featuring a canopy to provide a ‘multi-use’ sheltered play and games area which could be used in all weathers all year round.