OLDHAM'S children and young people are set to benefit from another year of investment from an education programme.

Since 2016, the Opportunity Areas (OA) programme has invested £90m on improving school standards, attendance, teaching quality and recruitment, careers training and advice, literacy and maths skills, alongside tackling barriers to learning that exist beyond the school gates.

Oldham was chosen by the Department of Education in 2017 to receive support from the programme.

This year an extra £18m will be invested in 12 areas across the country, including Oldham.

The programme aims to ensure children in the borough are "school-ready" by five, raise attainment for all and help make youngsters ready for life, learning and work.

Furthermore, it is playing a vital role in helping areas recover from the Coronavirus pandemic.

A key priority for the programme this year will be ensuring sustainability of changes with a continued focus on the most impactful elements of the programme.

To ensure the town becomes a better place to learn and achieve – as well as one where all children and young people can reach their full potential – an OA partnership board brings together school and council leaders, businesses and community organisations to continue to move this innovative programme forward.

Cabinet member for education and skills at the council, Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, said: “As a result of the pandemic, over the past 15 months we have seen the education of Oldham’s children and young people affected like never before.

“Children and young people often face many challenges in life that can impact their education and the coronavirus pandemic has added a new layer of difficulties for them to deal with.

“That’s why we are grateful to be part of the Opportunity Area programme once again, as it means that we can continue to support our children and young people and help them reach their full potential despite the disruption.

“We’re fully committed to helping create environments that lead the way when it comes to emotional and mental wellbeing as these are the foundations that lead to healthy behaviours, improved educational attainments and further down the line, a successful journey into adulthood.

“This is why part of the overall funding has gone towards 70 per cent of schools in the borough having professionals trained to deliver mental health initiatives to pupils.

“Oldham’s children and young people deserve the very best and we are working hard with schools, colleges and partners to achieve this.”

Over the past four years, each Opportunity Area has been led by people with knowledge of the area who consequently deliver tailored solutions to tackle entrenched local problems and help young people to succeed.