Thousands of pupils to enjoy extra time off as schools close early on Oasis show days

Thursday, 12 June 2025 14:20

By Chris Gee

More than 2,000 pupils at schools close to Heaton Park are set to enjoy additional time away from the classroom next month due to the Oasis shows.

Four schools in the Prestwich area have announced lunch-time closure or early finishes with children set to have a little more time in the ‘sunshiiiiiine’ on Friday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 16 as school leaders take measures to avoid picking up time coinciding with tens of thousands of music fans descending on the area.

After more than a decade and a half away from the stage, the Gallagher brothers and band and will reunite for a tour many believed would never happen. Oasis will play in Heaton Park on five occasions, three of them on weekend evenings, leaving the two weekday performances affecting schools in the area.

The full five nights will see around 400,000 ticket holders arriving at the park gates in July. St Monica’s RC High school overlooks the concert site on Bury Old Road.

The 1,086 capacity school will close at 12.30pm on Friday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 16. A council spokesman said: “This will allow pupils and staff to leave the area safely before the gates open.”

Sedgley Park Primary has also decided on two curtailed days with lunch-time finishes at 1.15pm on the two days. The 271-capacity school said it was to ‘allow parents and staff to vacate the premises before the traffic gets too busy’.

A school spokesman, added: “Parents have been informed of these dates well in advance and work will be provided online for the afternoon session.” Two other primary school close to Heaton Park have not opted for lunch-time finishes but will close early.

The 225-capacity St Margaret’s Primary on Heywood Road, Whitefield, said they are not closing the school, but will be offering parents an early pick-up on the days so as to reduce traffic. Heaton Park Primary, which has 410 pupils, said the school is closing earlier on the two weekdays that Oasis are performing.

Three Jewish schools in the area, Yesoiday Hatorah boys, Yesoiday girls and Manchester Mesivta High School for Boys have all said that they’ve liaised with police and won’t be closing early.

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