Work on a complete rebuild will now start in December.

Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Nick Peel, said: “The plans put forward were really impressive, and will create an excellent learning environment for the academy’s students. I am looking forward to seeing the plans become reality.”

Roger Alston, of Kearsley Academy’s sponsors, Northern Education, and Chair of the Governing Body, said: “It was a very difficult choice between the two companies, as both were excellent and had worked really hard, but BAM’s plans just had the edge, it’s a truly outstanding building.”