Pendle Vale College

The school initially opened in September 2006, as part of the first wave of Building Schools for the Future. It occupied the site of the former Walton High School. The new buildings were completed in September 2008.[3] The official opening of the school was delayed by one week, owing to torrential rain.[4] The school buildings officially opened in September 2008.[5]

Two former students of Walton High School, helped construct the school in January 2008, as electrical contractors.[6] The building progress was labelled as “behind schedule” by education chiefs in November 2007.[7] The developers, Catalyst Lend Lease, were chosen by education chiefs in March 2006.[8]

The first headteacher of Pendle Vale College, Geoff Walker, left his post after four months at the helm, in December 2006, claiming his new post was “too good an opportunity to turn down”.[9] The previous month, he claimed teachers were “put off” taking senior roles at the inaugural awards evening.[10]

He was succeeded by Steve Wilson, who was officially appointed headteacher in June 2007, after six months as the acting headteacher.[11] His first task as headteacher was to show Gordon Prentice, the then constituency’s Member of Parliament, round the building site for the new school, which opened the following year.[12]

Wilson announced his retirement from the school in October 2019, which was intended to have taken effect on 31 August 2020.[13]

He was succeeded by Oliver Handley, who was appointed in March 2020, and began his role on 1 September 2020.[14] The potential provisions of the school include facilities for information technology, one sporting centre, rock climbing wall, multi gym and all weather pitches, music studios, and dance and drama suites.