Plans for the much-anticipated Star Lakeside Academy in Littleborough have faced significant delays, leaving the community in a prolonged state of uncertainty. Originally proposed in 2019, the secondary school project has seen numerous setbacks, with no clear updates provided since a pause was implemented over a year ago.
The Department for Education (DfE) was expected to release an update regarding the school’s status in Spring 2025, but officials have remained silent on the matter. Despite requests for comments, the DfE has not disclosed information about the timeline or next steps for the Star Lakeside Academy, which is planned for the playing fields behind Littleborough Community Primary School.
In contrast, a secondary school project in Bowlee, proposed simultaneously, successfully opened its doors in 2021. The stark difference in progress has raised concerns among parents and local officials in Littleborough, where demand for secondary school places continues to grow.
Delays in the Star Lakeside project have been attributed to various factors, including financial constraints and access issues. The situation was further complicated when a rapid turnover of Secretaries of State for Education occurred between July and October 2022, with five different Conservative MPs overseeing the department. The final Secretary of State before the general election, Gillian Keegan, decided to pause several building programmes, including the one in Littleborough, to evaluate their viability.
By November 2023, it was reported that the review had concluded, and Rochdale Council was informed that the scheme had been “unpaused.” However, the uncertainty surrounding the subsequent general election has led to renewed confusion regarding the status of the school. As of now, Littleborough is grappling with an urgent need for additional secondary school places.
Data from council documents indicates that in May 2025, Littleborough had 584 pupils in Primary Year 6, yet only 510 places were available in Pennines schools for the upcoming September. This gap means that approximately 14 percent of families will need to seek placements outside the Pennines, resulting in significant logistical challenges.
Across the wider Rochdale area, there were 1,444 Primary Year 6 pupils in May, with only 1,290 places available. Currently, there are 97 spare places in Rochdale Township schools, but none in the Pennines region. Council projections indicate a looming shortage of places, predicting a need for an additional 33 places by 2027 and 6 places by 2028, before numbers start to decline again.
Local MP Paul Waugh has taken action by reaching out to the Minister for School Standards, requesting a meeting to address the ongoing delays in expanding school capacity. In his correspondence, Mr. Waugh emphasized that the current situation has become “unmanageable,” with many children facing lengthy commutes of up to an hour each way to attend school outside their borough. This reality has caused distress for families, with children being separated from their parents during these journeys.
As the community of Littleborough waits for clarity on the future of the Star Lakeside Academy, the pressing need for educational infrastructure continues to grow. Parents, students, and local officials are hopeful for a resolution that will finally pave the way for the new secondary school to serve the community.
