Social organisations set to move into Ridings School

A CHURCH group, the NHS and a charity which helps disadvantaged children are among about 20 organisations hoping to move into the buildings of the infamous former Ridings School in Halifax.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Nov 2010, 23:16 BST
Updated 15th Nov 2010, 23:16 BST

Calderdale Council's Cabinet decided last night to create an independent not-for-profit trust to run the buildings, which have stood vacant since the school formally closed in 2009. The first tenant is likely to be NHS Calderdale, and councillors heard that a health centre could open on part of the Nursery Lane site as early as next year.

Coun Barry Collins, Cabinet member for economy and environment, said: "There were fears locally that the buildings might be bulldozed and the site sold off for housing, but the council's Cabinet is committed to finding a new use for the site and we have various local organisations queueing up to keep it for community use.

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"We also hope to find a solution that will keep the existing sports centre running on the site."

The school gained national notoriety 14 years ago, when staff threatened to walk out in protest at violence in the classroom.

A critical Ofsted inspection in 2007 sealed its fate, although the school's last group of GCSE students went on to achieve record results.

Related topics:NHSHalifaxCalderdale CouncilOfsted