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A ‘transformative’ project in Oldham has been left in limbo for a whole year.

The Eton Star Academy, a new state sixth form backed by an elite private school is supposed to help bright, disadvantaged kids from the area into top universities. It's supposed to even the educational playing field.

But just weeks after its town-centre location was announced last year, the new Labour government pulled the brakes on the whole scheme.

Now, 12 months later, the school is still ‘under review’ as part of a UK-wide halt on the construction of new free schools. Oldham was promised answers ‘early in 2025’ - but the town is still waiting.

“We’re in the hands of the government,” sighed townhall boss Arooj Shah, who has been backing the project since its inception. “We just have to

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