Council plans to axe 11 schools

Sep 9 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CONTROVERSIAL plans which would shut several Kirklees schools were revealed today.

A huge plan outlining massive changes for education in Mirfield, Dewsbury, Batley and other towns in north Kirklees has been put forward for consultation.

But the plans – said to cost £500m – have already been condemned.

Under the proposals, due for debate at next week’s meeting of the council’s Conservative Cabinet, 11 schools could close – among them Castle Hall High School in Mirfield.

Conservative plans would also see the shutdown of Birkdale High School and Westborough High School, with a site being developed for a proposed new Academy for North Kirklees.

Four Middle schools – Birkenshaw,. Gomersal CE, West End and Whitechapel – would also shut as the council plans to return to a two tier system, with children changing school only at the age of 11.

Castle Hall, which has several hundred pupils from the Mirfield area, could be closed by August 2013.

The students would transfer to an extended Mirfield Free Grammar School.