King's Leadership Academy, Bolton opens new building

King's Leadership School welcomed pupils into its “landmark” state-of-the-art building this week and out of their high quality temporary buildings which have been serving for around four years.

The move brings all of King’s Leadership Academy’s year groups together at its site in Great Lever.

The school has until now been using a temporary site nearby on Freshfield Avenue since opening in September 2019 but last December contractor Galliford Try were ready to hand over the keys.

Principal David Crosby said: “It is a landmark for King’s Bolton and an incredibly proud moment to open the doors to our students on their return from the break.

“I am extremely grateful to the incredibly hard-working and dedicated team behind bringing the vision of the new building to reality and making this move happen.”

David Crosby with pupils at the site (Image: Great Schools Trust)

Galliford Try had been working on behalf of the Department for Education, while King's Leadership staff worked through the holidays to get facilities ready for the new term.

These included classrooms and science labs, a library, music facilities and dining rooms

Mr Crosby said he hopes these could also prove useful to the community in Great Lever.

He said: "We are committed to our community and are offering local groups and clubs the use of these facilities, and anyone interested in discovering more can contact us."

So far students have been impressed by what they have seen.

Year 11 student and aspiring Oxbridge student Shaun Simmons, 15, said: “I’ve looked forward to this day since I joined in Year 7 and it is fantastic to finally be in the new school and have access to all these great new facilities.”

Another pupil, 15-year-old Shezad Patel, said he is excited by the new science laboratories, and the opportunities they give for experiments.

Student body prime minister Miada Shalott, 16, says she hopes to help shape some of the outdoor space at the school.

She said: “Now that we have the outdoor space available and as part of a gardening club, students will be able to plant bulbs and seeds.

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“This is something Student Parliament has wanted since I was in Year 9.”

Leaders at the school, which is part of the Great Schools Trust, say they hope the new facilities will be well used by pupils and the community for many years to come.

Great Schools Trust chief executive Shane lerston said: "Unveiling this remarkable new school building reflects our commitment to provide our students with an environment where curiosity thrives, innovation blossoms and will empower every student to become a leader in their own right.

“As part of the local community, we are also looking forward to being able to welcome local groups and teams to use our facilities.”