MP Barry Sheerman warns of school closures in Huddersfield

Jul 9 2009 By Barry Gibson

Mr Sheerman believes schools in Huddersfield need a change in culture.

He said: “I’ve seen this in other parts of the country like Lambeth. The kids are in school from 9am to 5pm and they are very disciplined – there’s silence in the corridors and silence in assembly.”

Meanwhile, after months of consultation with parents, teachers and governors, the council’s cabinet will decide next week which schools in North Kirklees will close.

The Labour / Lib Dem coalition will meet at Cleckheaton Town Hall at 4pm on Wednesday to decide on the proposals, which include shutting Birkdale High in Dewsbury and expanding Whitcliffe Mount in Cleckheaton.

However, the most controversial proposal – closing Castle Hall in Mirfield – will not be voted on at the meeting because Kirklees has already begun the legal process of shutting the school.

Cabinet member for schools Clr John Smithson said: “We are facing a mammoth decision which will affect the education of young people in north Kirklees for many years to come.

“Currently the educational opportunities and achievements in north Kirklees are unsatisfactory. Our whole purpose with this programme is to provide a major improvement.”

But Clr Robert Light criticised the Labour / Lib Dem Cabinet for not including a new high school in Birkenshaw in their plans.

The Conservative said: “The cabinet have made a desperate attempt to manipulate the consultation in their favour. Yet public responses show 80% are in favour of a new high school on the site of Birkenshaw Middle.

“This has been a complete sham and the proposals will ruin secondary education in North Kirklees for generations to come.

“The consultation process has been morally corrupt, and the cabinet have completely failed to take into account the views expressed by whole communities.”