A failing secondary school will officially become an academy on Monday. Prestwich Arts College will be part of the Rowan Learning Trust from June 1.
Chief executive officer Phil Rimmer has written to parents to confirm the conversion date and thanked them for their support in 'unprecedented' times.
But campaigners who opposed the forced academisation of the school, due to an 'inadequate' rating by education watchdog Ofsted, say there is 'huge disappointment' over the decision to progress during the pandemic.
The school will remain open to students who have been eligible to attend school throughout the lockdown – but there are no plans to reopen any further as a result of becoming an academy and no longer being under council control.