Press Releases

September 21 2009

Innovative East Manchester Academy nears completion

The East Manchester Academy in Beswick is a one step nearer to conclusion this week with the completion of the highest point of the building.

Work started on the site of the new £31.5m academy nine months ago, and this week a significant construction milestone will be marked with a traditional topping out ceremony where principal designate Guy Hutchence will tighten a golden bolt.

The academy, which will be in a state-of-the-art building, will open in September 2010 with a specialism in the built environment, as well as being a centre of excellence for performing arts.

The lead sponsors are Bovis Lend Lease and Laing O’Rourke with Manchester City Council and The Manchester College as co-sponsors.

Initially the academy will offer 180 places for Year 7 pupils only, gradually building up to 900 pupils over the next five years. The academy will include a purpose-built area for post-16 provision and will also be the home to the new district library.

The East Manchester Academy is one of seven new academies across Manchester. The academies, which are a totally new way of educating young people and helping them gain business skills, form part of a £700m investment to improve buildings and facilities across Manchester. Learning transformation – changing how learning is delivered – is at the heart of city-wide activity to improve education outcomes.

Principal designate Guy Hutchence, said: “So much hard work has gone into this project and it’s really exciting to see it get closer to a reality which is going to provide outstanding educational and social benefits for the area.”

Sponsors Laing O’Rourke and Bovis Lend Lease, said: “We are proud to part of a superb resource for learning and teaching. As the specialist area is in the built environment, it’s only fitting that the brand new facility is a state-of-the-art building designed to inspire pupils and give them the best environment to study in.”

Eddie Smith, chief executive of regeneration company New East Manchester, said: "This is a fantastic building which is much more than a high school and it's great to see it close to completion. New East Manchester contributed £600,000 towards a new public library and community rooms in the academy to allow local people to learn new skills and enjoy a range of leisure activities."

Although all the academies in Manchester will be centres of excellence in their specialist areas, they will each have an inclusive educational environment, supporting all learners, whatever their interests. Learning will be personalised to each student and they will sit their exams when they are ready.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Executive Member for Children’s Services at Manchester City Council, said: “Education is absolutely critical to the success of our children’s futures. By investing in that education we are giving them the best possible start. And now, The East Manchester Academy is almost ready to be part of that vital process.”

For more information about Manchester City Council visitwww.manchester.gov.uk