Case Study 4: 'More pupils will be turned away'

Gillian James, head of the 400-year-old Ilkley Grammar School, has hit out at the Government after plans to build a huge new purpose-built campus for the school were cut along with the rest of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.

With capacity for nearly 2,000 pupils, the new 30m school it would have become the second-largest state secondary in West Yorkshire. "It's a huge blow," Mrs James said. "Our challenges remain over-subscription, a cramped site not fit for purpose, (and) inflexible or inadequate learning, social, play and catering spaces. I feel desperately sorry for our current and future students."

Ilkley Grammar already has arrangements in place whereby sixth-form students are taught at other schools due to its lack of space and facilities.

A statement from the school said it now faces "tough questions about its future".

Mrs James added: "We will need to look again at post-16 provision.

"We want to expand and develop courses more suited to the whole of our intake, but we simply do not have the space."

Mrs James spoke of her "anger" and concern that the cuts will "severely affect the future of local children". She added: "You only have to see a new-build school to see what education should be about.

"I recognise the need to rationalise spending, but the Government is being extremely short-sighted."