A new permanent high school building in Radcliffe will be delayed as it’s ‘too expensive’.

Bury Council’s cabinet heard that the uncertainty was causing ‘concern and anxiety’ for parents at the school and those planning to send their children there in the future. In September, Star Radcliffe Academy welcomed its first cohort of 150 Year 7 pupils.

To enable the school to open, pupils are currently using fully equipped temporary accommodation on the school site until a permanent building is built.

The 750-place secondary school for 11-16 year olds will admit a new Year 7 intake each year for the next five years, reaching full capacity in all year groups in September 2028.

The construction of the school was expected to be completed by next summer meaning both existing pupils and a second cohort would be taught in the new school form September 2025. It has now emerged that construction work on the new building has yet to start.

The additional delay means a second cohort of pupils starting next year will be taught in temporary accommodation with the new building not expected to be ready until Spring 2026 at the earliest.

Conservative deputy leader, Cllr Jo Lancaster spoke at the cabinet meeting.

She said : “It came as a shock to me when I recently visited the school that not one brick has been put in the ground yet. “It’s causing a lot of concern and anxiety for the people of Radcliffe and parents whose children are at the school already.”

Cabinet member for children and young people, Coun Lucy Smith responded to the concerns. She said: “The new school is something we all really care about.

“I can confirm the Department of Education (DfE) got in touch with the council and school to say there was a delay in signing off the contract for the permanent building because of inflationary pressures.

“The cost is far exceeding the original estimates creating a delay. “This has impacted on the delivery programme.

“DfE have confirmed they have engaged with the design team for additional temporary accommodation for the second year group with a planning

application due for this in November.” She added: “I was equally shocked, it’s a recent development that they’ve not signed this contract off as it’s too expensive.”

A statement was read out from Star Academy: “The school will remain in its existing temporary accommodation in year two. “This accommodation will be enhanced to accept a second year group from September 2025 for year 7s and year 8s.

“We expect to move into the permanent building during the school year 2025/26 and the move is likely to take place during spring or summer term.”