Heywood Academy - Groundbreaking Ceremony

 

On Friday 20th September, stakeholders from various organisations came together to mark the official groundbreaking ceremony of Heywood Academy.

 

 

Heywood Academy is set to become the latest new school in our MAT, when it opens its doors to students in September 2025, and will be a 75-placement school for students aged 11-19 with a diagnosis of ASC.

Future Finders student, Max, was the official photographer for the event.

 

 

Supported by his staff team, he captured some incredible shots to mark the occasion, and to be circulated to local press.

 

 

Pictured above are our CEO, Clare John, alongside
Martin Horne, Tilbury Douglas' Regional Director.

 

 

Max gave clear directions for everyone in the photographs, taking into account all his prior learning to capture some great shots to a professional standard.

 

 

Stakeholders from several organisations were represented on the day.

 

From left to right in the above two photos, we have:

Catherine Watson, from Hollinwood Academy, which will be the 'sister school' of Heywood Academy.

Jenny Dunne, former Director at New Bridge MAT. Jenny played a huge role in the bid for this new school.

Laura Millard, who will be the new Executive Headteacher of Heywood Academy and Hollinwood Academy.

CEO of New Bridge Group & MAT, Clare John.

Councillor Rachel Massey, who is the Portfolio Holder for Childrens Services and Education in Rochdale.

Dr Fay Davies, who is the Transformation Project Manager, Sufficiency, Early Help & Schools from Rochdale Council.

Joanna Ryan, who is also from Hollinwood Academy.

 

Tilbury Douglas were superb hosts on the day, providing all visitors with the appropriate PPE...

 

 

...along with plenty of brews and even bacon butties!

 

 

The butties were a big hit, but not as much as the goggles and gloves!

 

 

Representing Tilbury Douglas in the above photo (L - R) are:

Sam Betts - Project Manager

Liam Russell - Senior Quantity Surveyor 

Councillor Rachel Massey, who is the Portfolio Holder for Childrens Services and Education in Rochdale.

CEO of New Bridge Group & MAT, Clare John.

Chris Heneghan - Managing Quantity Surveyor 

Martin Horne - Regional Director 

Laura Millard, who will be the new Executive Headteacher of Heywood Academy and Hollinwood Academy.

 

Drone footage was also captured on the day, and Max edited a short video blending stills and drone footage.

Take a look at the footage and the edit below. It gives you an idea of the scale of this project.

 

 

Everyone is excited about the new school, and how it will develop the SEND offer in the area.

New Bridge MAT is incredibly proud to be working alongside the Department for Education, and all other stakeholders, to deliver a new, much needed, provision for the area and the community.

Thank you to Tilbury Douglas for their hospitality, and special praise to Max and his team for capturing the occasion so well.

 

 

We look forward to the steel signing event in November!