A new academy in Oldham which is undergoing construction recently hosted a "signing of the steels" ceremony as work continues.

Brian Clarke Church of England Academy, which will be based on Booth Street, close to Oldham College, welcomed a host of special guests to the event which also marked the progress that has been made.

The signing of the steels is a ceremony which has become a tradition for marking the celebration of a new building and sees selected individuals sign a steel beam before it is added to the structure.

Special guests on the day included now former Mayor Cllr Jenny Harrison, two future students of the academy and some sixth form students at The Blue Coat School, which will be the natural progression for Brian Clarke students.

Both schools are part of the Cranmer Education Trust.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Harrison said: "I congratulate everybody on the fantastic progress that's been made.

"I really hope you'll invite me to the opening and I really look forward to seeing the finished product and young people having a fantastic education."

The Oldham Times: Students writing their signatures on the steel beamStudents writing their signatures on the steel beam

She added that those who had signed the steel beam had been "part of history" as their signatures would be part of the fabric of the new school.

The guests at the site of the academy were welcomed by the school’s Headteacher Allison Ash, Cranmer Education Trust chief executive Julie Hollis and the site manager Andy Beale from Oldham-based main contractor Willmott Dixon.

Ms Ash described the ceremony as "lovely" and said it was "amazing" to have the guests there to be a part of history.

The site was also visited by Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon on July 1, which marked the first time visitors were able to access the third floor.

The academy will start with its first Year 7 cohort of 240 pupils, who will begin in a temporary school building on the site of The Blue Coat School in September 2022, before the opening of its permanent home in the spring of 2023.

The Oldham Times: The proposed design of the academyThe proposed design of the academy

In April, it was confirmed that the foundations of the site were in place at the site of a former Sainsbury’s supermarket, while the hiring of staff had also been finalised.

The academy is named after Oldham-born artist and architect Brian Clarke.