Hollingworth Learning Trust announce opening of state-of-the-art, net zero carbon, academy building

Newhouse Academy’s new home for physical education, construction, technology, science, performing arts, dining facilities and main hall which will benefit pupils and the community for many years to come.

Hollingworth Learning Trust are pleased to announce that Newhouse Academy in Heywood, a trust academy since 2020, received the keys to their new net zero carbon building at the beginning of September.

In January 2023 Morgan Sindall Construction, and the Department for Education, received planning consent from Rochdale Borough Council, to undertake a significant new build and refurbishment project at Newhouse Academy.

Morgan Sindall began work to replace outdated facilities at Newhouse Academy with the new three-storey 5,100 square metre building, along with associated plant and landscaping works.

The new building was constructed to achieve net zero carbon in operation, with 470 solar panels which power the building heating and electricity, and more panels due to be installed in the next phase. The ‘Green roofs’ will have multiple benefits for the academy moving forward, reducing overheating during hot summer days, delayed rainwater runoff, enhanced biodiversity on site and creation of new habitats.

The new building incorporates a four-court sports hall, PE store, activity studio, drama studio, main hall, changing rooms, construction and design technology workshops, dining hall, fitness studio, music rooms, science labs, multi-purpose classrooms, food technology room, SEND facility and related spaces.

The academy also invested in brand new fitness equipment for its fantastic new fitness suite, classroom and dining room furniture, large interactive screens in all teaching spaces and an advanced IT infrastructure including PCs that use less energy to run.

During the building phase Newhouse Academy pupils were given the opportunity to get involved in a range of programmes, bringing to life the different elements that go into designing, constructing, and managing a school project such as this

Pupils studying construction at Key Stage 4 met with members of the project team and learnt about qualifications and career routes into the industry. They attended planning meetings, learnt about site health and safety, went on site tours at a number of different stages of the build - learning about the processes involved, and visited Leech Steel in Preston, touring the factory’s production area spanning three separate workshops, where the 394 tonnes of steelwork needed for the build was produced.

Pupils also took part in bricklaying workshops and social value projects, including a collaboration between Morgan Sindall and Newhouse Academy staff and pupils to bury a time capsule in the grounds of the new building. The time capsule, to be opened in 2074 will ensure future students can take a time-travelling peek into 2024 school life.

The second phase of the project is now underway, which will see the old school building which dates to the 1960s demolished, the front of the main school building (known as the boomerang) that was rebuilt around 12 years ago will be retained.

Landscaping will also be undertaken to fully utilise outdoor sporting opportunities and activity spaces. This part of the project is set to be delivered by summer 2025.