Kirklees Together

Exciting plans to rebuild a Kirklees school for pupils with complex autism are moving ahead to the next phase. 

Woodley School and College will relocate from Dog Kennel Bank in Huddersfield to a new site at Fernside Avenue, Almondbury. There it will enjoy superb new facilities for pupils aged 5-15, with a post-16 provision also included. 

This multi-million pound project, will see the school expand its numbers and help to meet increased demand for specialist places. 

The move will reduce the need for pupils to travel outside of Kirklees for their education.  And, it is part of a wider transformation of local support for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 

Now, Cabinet members have approved the drawing down of funding so that the rebuild and relocation of Woodley can progress to the next stage. 

The site in Almondbury has already been cleared of existing buildings, and groundworks are being undertaken so that work to create the new school can begin later this year. The council has also appointed a construction partner to work towards finalising the design and costs. 

Woodley School and College is one of two large-scale rebuilding projects for Kirklees special schools, both of which are being funded by the council. The other will see Joseph Norton Academy – which caters for pupils with Social Emotional and Mental Health Needs – move from Scissett to Deighton and also increase its pupil numbers. The building work for Joseph Norton is already under way. 

Cllr Jane Rylah, Cabinet member for Education, said:

“Every council faces challenges with meeting the demand for SEND support, but in Kirklees we are showing our commitment. 

“The new schools for both Woodley School and College and Joseph Norton Academy will be fantastic additions to the education landscape. 

“They will support pupils to achieve the best possible outcomes and it’s really exciting that Woodley is also nearing the point where building work can commence. 

“It will increase local capacity and benefit thousands of pupils over many years, giving them a brilliant environment in which to learn and thrive.” 

Cllr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for Finance and Regeneration, said:

“We’re proud to be creating state-of-the-art facilities for vulnerable learners and their families. 

“Pupils, families and staff are playing an integral role in the design of each school, ensuring the new facilities reflect what’s most important to them. As well as investing in our children, we’re also putting them at the heart of our work.” 

Providing high-quality educational provision is part of Our Kirklees Futures – the long-term vision for learning across the district. For more information visit the Our Kirklees Futures webpage. 

Working with partners, we have recently published ‘SEND The Big Plan – Part 3’.  This outlines local work to support children and young people with SEND, along with their families. There are more details on the Local Offer website.