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Education to get £20m shakeup
A RADICAL £200m shake up of schools in Kirklees is announced today in a move which could see mergers of secondary schools in at least two towns, a new academy opening, a series of closures and one consolidated sixth form being created to serve the north of the district.
The plans will affect secondary school provision in Cleckheaton, Gomersal, Heckmondwike, Liversedge, Birstall, Birkenshaw, Batley, Dewsbury, Mirfield and Raventhorpe.
The changes, which will be presented to Kirklees Council next week, would also see the Cleckheaton area move from having a three-tier system with first, middle and high schools to a two-tier approach with primaries and secondaries.
Coun Jim Dodds, Kirklees Council's Cabinet member for schools, said the proposals included remodelling six-schools and creating eight new education centres, with work starting from 2011.
A new academy is being proposed in Dewsbury to replace both Westborough High School and Birkdale.
If plans are approved the schools would be replaced in 2011 by a new academy based in the two neighbouring school sites.
The academy, co-sponsored by Kirklees Council, would then move into its own purpose-built facilities on the Westborough site in 2014.
Academies are independently-run schools backed by a sponsor and given freedom to set their own admission and employment arrangements. They were introduced by the Government to replace struggling secondary schools.
Other changes being proposed in the new plan for North Kirklees education include creating a new co-educational secondary school serving Batley by merging Batley Business and Enterprise College and Batley Girls High School.
Coun Dodds said: "During the previous consultations it was clear that the lack of mixed-sex schooling for girls and boys was a significant factor in parents deciding to send their children to schools outside the area."
A consolidated sixth-form serving up to 1,400 students would be created by investing in Heckmondwike Grammar and Mirfield Free Grammar School sites to provide two bases for it.
Coun Dodds said: "Such an ambitious and high-quality service would link with other post-16 provision such as Kirklees College and encourage pupils to stay locally rather than move out of the area for post-16 education."
There are currently four sixth forms in North Kirklees based in Batley, Cleckheaton, Mirfield and Heckmondwike. Coun Dodds believes one consolidated sixth form will provide more options for local students.
Castle Hall School in Mirfield has been identified for closure as part of the overall plan. Coun Dodds added: "In Mirfield, both Mirfield Free Grammar and Castle Hall have fewer than 50 per cent of pupils who actually live in Mirfield. One centre is needed to meet the local community needs for secondary education."
In the Cleckheaton area eight new primary schools are being proposed on three middle school and five first school and nursery sites.
Birkenshaw Middle School's site is also set to be used for a new secondary school serving both Birstall and Birkenshaw.
Coun Dodds will present the proposals to the authority's cabinet on Tuesday, September 16, before a six-week consultation is launched.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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