The location of Oldham’s brand new world-class sixth form college has been revealed.
Eton Star Oldham will be built on what is the current Tommyfield outdoor market site, bringing the very best education opportunities right to the heart of the new-look town centre.
The 16-19 college will aim to recruit young people who have had fewer opportunities in life, providing them with a first-class education and supporting them to achieve places at the very best universities. The admission policy of the new college will be designed to reflect this ambition.
The college will be opened by the Eton Star Partnership, a collaboration between Eton College and Star Academies, which is already working with a network of secondary schools in Oldham. Formal approval for the new sixth form college was granted by the Department for Education last August.
Students who attend Eton Star Oldham will benefit from an education based on the best that is on offer at Eton College and the best of Star Academies, which is, by many metrics, the highest-performing state school trust in the country.
Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “This is exciting and significant news for young people growing up in Oldham. 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. This means everyone gets a top class education, whatever their background and wherever they live, and the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“This is a fantastic place for the college to be sited. It will add vibrancy to our town centre, which we are rapidly transforming into one of the most exciting in Greater Manchester. The new state of the art building will be a great addition to the already excellent sixth form education we have on offer.
“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 said: “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 CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said: “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.
“We aim not only to support students at Eton Star Oldham to achieve transformative outcomes but, by working collaboratively with local schools and other educational settings, to boost attainment and broaden the opportunities open to every young person in Oldham.”
The new sixth form college building is part of the wider regeneration of Oldham. Together with partners including nationally and internationally-renowned developers and businesses, Oldham Council is working to transform the town centre. This includes building 2,000 new homes, and new leisure and culture attractions, retail and business facilities – aiming to make Oldham one of the most exciting and dynamic boroughs in Greater Manchester.
Eton Star Oldham will be built on the Tommyfield Market car park and outdoor market. The current outdoor market will be moved to another town centre location later this year to allow for the works to start. The new market and event space, part of the improved Spindles, is set to open in Spring 2025.
The next step for the college will be to seek Oldham Council Cabinet’s approval, likely to be in September 2024, with a successful planning application sought following this.
