New building open for students at King's Leadership Academy

King Leadership Academy Bolton has started the Spring term by welcoming students to its new school building in Great Lever.

The move brings all year groups together in one building and is adjacent to the site which has been home to the school since its opening in September 2019.

Building contractor Galliford Try, working on behalf of the Department of Education (DfE), handed over the keys to King’s Bolton’s Principal David Crosby at the end of December.

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.”

Staff worked throughout the school holidays to prepare state-of-the-art classrooms and science labs, a library, music facilities and dining rooms to open the doors for the new term. The site also includes a large sports hall, drama studio and separate dance studio.

Students are impressed by their new surroundings and Year 11 student Shaun Simmons, 15, who is passionate about history and aspires to attend an Oxbridge university spoke for many when he 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.”

Passionate about sciences, in particular biology, 15-year-old Shehzad Patel is excited by the new science laboratories, and the opportunities they give for practical’s and experiments. He is inspired by his teacher, Miss Ibberson, who he said “goes above and beyond” and even offered careers advise when he wanted to look at university options to pursue a career in medicine. “Miss Ibberson talked me through all of the options available to me to follow a career into medicine after I complete my GCSEs at King’s. My aim now is to study at the University of Cambridge or Royal College”.

Miada Shalott, 16, who is also the student body Prime Minister, is looking forward to having the opportunity as part of a new and improved enrichment programme to participate in shaping some of the outdoor space on the new site: “Now that we have the outdoor space available and as part of a gardening club, students will be able to plant bulbs and seeds. This is something Student Parliament has wanted since I was in Year 9”.

With the new building, King’s Bolton is opening its facilities to host various events, including adult learning, special interest group meetings, and sports outside of school hours.

David Crosby added: "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."

King’s Bolton is part of the Great Schools Trust and Chief Executive Shane Ierston added: "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.” 

King's Leadership Academy Bolton is a non-selective, free independent school in the state sector that provides a world-class education for the young people of Great Lever.

King's Leadership Academy Bolton is founded on international research and traditional values, focusing on leadership and academic development. The school is vibrant and diverse and enjoys a strong sense of community among staff and students.

The school opened in September 2019 in response to the growing demand for additional school places in the local area and has been oversubscribed each year since.