Kirklees Together

Cabinet members have agreed the funding for a range of primary, middle, secondary and special schools in the district.

We will now press ahead with creating extra school places in areas of need and developing new, high-quality facilities for pupils to enjoy both now and in the future.

Cllr Carole Pattison, Cabinet member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, said:

“I am absolutely thrilled that this investment in children, young people and families has been approved. Our children deserve the very best and we have again shown our commitment to helping them fulfil their potential.

We have been working closely in partnership with local schools and our shared aim is to achieve the highest possible standards of care and education. The funding includes support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and will support children and young people in Kirklees for many years to come.

The plans include a number of schools in South Huddersfield and, together, they are a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We are giving families a choice of high-quality education in their local community.

When discussions began last year about changing the provision in South Huddersfield, we were clear that children would be at the heart of all our decisions. We have delivered on our promises and we are doing everything we can to help our children and young people have the best start in life.”

The investment includes:

 

• Transforming the former Thornhill Lees Library and Information Centre building into extra accommodation for Ravenshall Special School. This will meet the increased demand for post-16 SEND support and feature teaching areas, a sensory learning space and facilities to promote vital life skills for vulnerable learners.

 

• Moving and refurbishing modular buildings to provide more space at Brambles Primary Academy. The school needs extra facilities for its new intake of children later this year and the modular buildings will include classroom, dining and curriculum support spaces. There will also be an investment in expanding the kitchen facilities and play areas. The council is hoping to provide Brambles Primary Academy with a new-build school by September 2021.

 

• Creating extra places at Scissett Middle School in order to meet increased demand in the area. The school already has enough classroom space, but improvements are needed to its outdoor play and dining facilities.

 

• Expanding King James’s School by building a new teaching block on the site, along with a range of other indoor and outdoor facilities. The school will soon have higher pupil numbers due to the upcoming closure of the secondary provision at Almondbury Community School. The new building will be highly energy-efficient and provide an excellent teaching and learning environment.

 

• Making adaptations to Almondbury Community School (ACS), which will cater only for primary-age children from September 2020. All pupils will be taught in one building and there is, therefore, a need to change the current facilities, such as toilets and teaching spaces, so that they are suitable.

 

• Investing in Netherhall Learning Campus High School to support it with catering for new pupils who have joined, or will soon be joining, as a result of the secondary closure at ACS. This will include remodelling the current accommodation, plus further work on dining facilities.

Wherever possible, works will take place during school holiday periods to keep disruption to a minimum.