Parents and pupils protest at closure of Castle Hall school in Mirfield

Jun 11 2009 by Katie Grant, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“This time round we will be stronger, louder and even better organised. We will take this fight all the way.”

The event marks the start of a six-week period in which local residents can object to the proposals.

Mr Wilkinson added: “It’s about time that the Kirklees officers and cabinet start to listen to the people of Mirfield and Ravensthorpe, and understand that there is massive public condemnation for their plans for the future of education in Mirfield.”

As well as this event, REACH plans to march from the Mirfield school to Oldgate House and to do a bike ride from the classrooms to Whitehall.

They have also set up a website to inform local people about future protest plans.

The Castle Hall closure was proposed last year as part of Kirklees Council’s £200m schools plan for north Kirklees.

With the closure of Castle Hall, the Council plan to expand Mirfield Free Grammar.

Council officials have justified the proposal by saying the number of 11 to 16-year-olds in the town will drop from 1,000 in 2007-8 to 800 by 2018.

For more information see www.savecastlehall.co.uk