OLDHAM'S Clarksfield Primary School is poised to become an Oasis Academy in the new year.

Staff, pupils, parents and the local community joined representatives from Oasis Community Learning and Oldham Council at a community engagement event detailing the move to becoming part of the multi-academy trust.

Those attending included ward councillors Paul Dean and Vita Price, Oldham's Cabinet Member for Education and Culture, Councillor Paul Jacques and Tony Shepard, the council's Head of Schools and Learning.

Oasis Community Learning’s CEO John Murphy, regional director Helen Ayra and the school's new executive principal Angela Sweeting gave a presentation to parents and the local community, explaining the national vision for Oasis and what it means to be part of the 'Oasis family'.

A spokesman for Oasis Community Learning said both pupils and staff are looking forward to entering a new era for school which was previously rated "inadequate" by Ofsted in 2017 and placed in special measures.

Back in August the Oldham Times reported how town hall chiefs had agreed to invest £2.985m in the Grasmere Road school and it is set to expand the number of places by 200, increasing its two-form entry to three from September 2019.

The investment is set to renew outdoor play spaces, redesign toilet facilities, improve heating and ventilation and reuse recreation facilities to make a new dance space as well as upgrade school buildings.

Oasis Academy Clarksfield will be one the main the feeder schools to Oasis Academy Leesbrook, which opened its doors as a new secondary academy in September this year on Middleton Road.

CEO of Oasis Community Learning, John Murphy, said: “This is an exciting time for both Oasis Community Learning and Oasis Academy Clarksfield as this marks the next step for Clarksfield Primary to become part of the Oasis family.

"We are honoured to be responsible for this school and these children’s education, and I’m looking forward to seeing all the benefits that come from being part of our family come to fruition.”

“Together we go further, supporting one another to give every child the opportunities that they deserve to reach their full potential.”

Cllr Jacques said; “I have faith in the partnership. The school has come on leaps and bounds. Every community needs a great school and this is the rebirth of a great school."

Oasis Community Learning's other Oldham primary school, Oasis Academy Limeside, is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted where 94 per cent of pupils reached the government's expected standard in reading, writing and maths.